Mortgage rates in Louisiana
30-yr fixed 7.18% · Freddie Mac PMMS, week of Nov 5, 2026 · APR benchmark 7.19% (APOR for locks from Nov 9, 2026) · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 by the Editorial Team
Louisiana’s low property taxes are offset by high homeowners-insurance costs.
Mortgage rates today by loan type
These are national averages. Lenders in Louisiana price off the same national market, so treat them as a benchmark: your quote depends on your credit, down payment, loan size and points. The APR benchmark folds in typical points and fees, so it shows what a prime borrower's APR looks like this week.
| Loan type | Avg rate | APR benchmarkAPOR | Source · as of | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30-year fixed | 7.18% | 7.19% | Freddie Mac PMMSNov 5, 2026 | Conventional purchase loans, 20% down, strong credit; weekly survey |
| 20-year fixed | 6.66% | 6.93% | Zillow (via NerdWallet)Nov 6, 2026 | Lender-quoted average; checked by hand every two weeks |
| 15-year fixed | 6.57% | 6.67% | Freddie Mac PMMSNov 5, 2026 | Conventional purchase loans, 20% down, strong credit; weekly survey |
| 10-year fixed | 6.31% | 6.82% | Zillow (via NerdWallet)Nov 6, 2026 | Lender-quoted average; checked by hand every two weeks |
| 5-year ARM | 6.73% | 6.67% | Zillow (via NerdWallet)Nov 6, 2026 | Fixed for 5 years, then adjusts; APOR = prime ARM benchmark |
| 7-year ARM | — | 6.50% | APOR, locks from Nov 9, 2026 | No free rate series; APOR benchmark only |
| 10-year ARM | — | 6.63% | APOR, locks from Nov 9, 2026 | No free rate series; APOR benchmark only |
| FHA 30-year | 6.89% | — | Optimal Blue OBMMINov 5, 2026 | Locked FHA loans, all credit profiles; daily |
| VA 30-year | 6.71% | — | Optimal Blue OBMMINov 5, 2026 | Locked VA loans; daily |
| USDA 30-year | 6.86% | — | Optimal Blue OBMMINov 5, 2026 | Locked USDA loans; daily |
| Jumbo 30-year | 7.25% | — | Optimal Blue OBMMINov 5, 2026 | Locked loans above the conforming limit; daily |
APR benchmark = FFIEC/CFPB Average Prime Offer Rate for rate locks in the week starting Nov 9, 2026 (published in advance): a prime borrower's APR including typical points and fees. It is not a quote; your APR depends on credit, down payment and the points you pay. APOR is not published for FHA, VA, USDA or jumbo loans.
Calculate your Louisiana mortgage payment
The calculator starts from Louisiana's median list price, 20% down, the state's 0.58% effective property tax, its median insurance premium and its average closing costs. Switch to FHA or VA, change the down payment, or pick your county to set its conforming limit. For the month-by-month split of principal and interest, open the amortization schedule tool. To see how Louisiana's property tax and insurance compare with every other state, try the PITI and escrow calculator.
Louisiana vs. the U.S.
Louisiana's median list price is 35% below the U.S. median, so at the same 7.18% rate the principal and interest on a 20%-down loan runs $791 a month less. Five-year price growth here was the 2nd-slowest of 51 jurisdictions.
| Measure | Louisiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median list priceRealtor.com, Oct 2026 | $269,000 | $415,000 |
| Principal + interest, 20% down30-yr avg 7.18% | $1,458 | $2,249 |
| Average home-purchase loanHMDA 2025 | $255,788 | $404,828 |
| Average closing costsincl. transfer taxes | $3,513 | $4,661 |
| Median conventional rate paid2025 purchase loans | 6.50% | 6.50% |
| Mortgage approval rateHMDA 2025 | 70.1% | 76.6% |
| Home values, 1 yearFHFA index, Q2 2026 | +2.9% | +3.0% |
| Home values, 5 yearsFHFA index, Q2 2026 | +20.9% | +41.3% |
What Louisiana borrowers actually paid in 2025
This is the state-specific part. Federal HMDA records show the rate and costs on every Louisiana home-purchase loan closed in 2025. We compare like with like: 30-year fixed, first-lien, one-unit primary homes. On conventional loans, Louisiana borrowers paid 0.02 percentage points above the market benchmark at lock, the 23rd-highest of all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
| 2025 purchase loans | Median rateLA · U.S. | Over benchmarkLA · U.S. | Closing costsLA · U.S. | Paid pointsshare of loans | Median downequity on refis · LA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional 30-yr fixed (conforming, 20%+ down)4,769 loans | 6.50%6.50% | +0.02+0.02 | $4,730$5,476 | 54.1%53.2% | 21.2% |
| Jumbo 30-yr fixed (20%+ down)79 loans | 6.63%6.63% | +0.06+0.00 | $9,454$10,251 | 46.8%38.4% | 20% |
| FHA 30-yr fixed8,437 loans | 6.25%6.25% | +0.48+0.42 | $8,462$11,291 | 52.2%59.3% | 3.5% |
| VA 30-yr fixed3,585 loans | 6.25%6.13% | −0.24−0.36 | $5,093$6,554 | 52.1%59.3% | 0% |
| Conventional rate-and-term refinance1,039 loans | 6.49%6.38% | +0.02−0.06 | $5,296$4,390 | 60.7%45.4% | 31.7% |
Source: 2025 HMDA loan-level records (FFIEC/CFPB), medians. "Over benchmark" = rate spread, the APR minus APOR on the lock date, which removes the effect of when each loan locked. Closing costs = total loan costs on the Closing Disclosure. HMDA has no credit scores, so these are what borrowers paid, not what you will be offered. See the lenders active in Louisiana and what their borrowers paid.
Louisiana's biggest conventional lenders: what their borrowers paid
The 8 largest conventional lenders in Louisiana by 2025 purchase loans, out of 489 that made one. Each row is the median for that lender's comparable loans here: 30-year fixed, conforming, 20% or more down. A lower figure over the benchmark means cheaper pricing for the same week.
| Lender | 2025 loansshare in LA | Median rate | Over benchmark | Originationmedian | Paid pointsshare · median | Median down |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Wholesale Mortgage | 1,2955.7% | 6.61% | +0.12 | $3,030 | 62%$1,612 | 21.1% |
| Gmfs LLC | 8223.6% | 6.63% | +0.03 | $1,176 | 57%$987 | 23% |
| Dsld Mortgage, LLC | 7313.2% | 6.49% | −0.24 | $0 | 18%$1,276 | 20.5% |
| Gulf Coast Bank and Trust Company | 6893% | 6.63% | −0.04 | $1,598 | 29%$605 | 25% |
| Rocket Mortgage | 6833% | 6.50% | −0.01 | $3,020 | 61%$2,625 | 24.2% |
| Fidelity Bank | 6632.9% | 6.63% | +0.10 | $2,413 | 78%$1,744 | 22% |
| First Horizon Bank | 6582.9% | 6.38% | −0.21 | $1,711 | 59%$1,080 | 21.6% |
| Hancock Whitney Bank | 6352.8% | 6.50% | −0.03 | $1,614 | 53%$1,138 | 20.1% |
Source: 2025 HMDA loan-level records (FFIEC/CFPB), lenders with at least 30 comparable loans in Louisiana. Minimum credit scores are not shown here: conventional loans usually start at 620 (a lender floor; Fannie Mae's automated underwriting sets none), FHA 580 (500 with 10% down), VA none set by VA (lenders often 620). HMDA has no credit scores, so a lender's medians reflect its own mix of borrowers. FHA and VA lenders: Louisiana lender rankings.
How rates have moved
Weekly national averages over the past 30 days to 5 years. The 30- and 15-year lines are Freddie Mac average rates; the ARM lines are the APOR APR benchmark, because no free weekly ARM rate series exists.
- Now
- 7.18%
- Nov 5, 2026
- 1 week ago
- 7.24%
- −0.06 pts
- 1 month ago
- 7.40%
- −0.22 pts
- 1 year ago
- 6.22%
- +0.96 pts
30-year fixed: Freddie Mac PMMS (rate), weekly. National series.
What a mortgage costs in Louisiana
On a home at Louisiana's median list price of $269,000 with 20% down, the financed amount is $215,200, or about $1,458 a month in principal and interest at the 7.18% 30-year average.
What makes Louisiana different is the cost around the loan. Its 0.58% effective property-tax rate adds roughly $130 a month, and homeowners insurance — at the state's median 1.00% of home value — about $224 more, bringing the all-in estimate to $1,812. That figure is principal and interest at the 30-year average, property tax and insurance; at 20% down a conventional loan has no PMI, and HOA dues or local special assessments are not included. Your own price and down payment will move the number — work backward from your income with the affordability check.
Payment at the $269,000 median list price by down payment and loan type
| Loan | Rate | Monthlyall-in | Mortgage ins. | Cash to close | Income needed28% rule · yearly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional, 20% downNo PMI | 7.18%Freddie Mac 30-yr avg | $1,812P&I $1,458 | — | $57,313 | $78,000 |
| Conventional, 10% downPMI est. 0.7%/yr | 7.18%Freddie Mac 30-yr avg | $2,135P&I $1,640 | $141 | $30,413 | $92,000 |
| Conventional, 5% downPMI est. 0.7%/yr | 7.18%Freddie Mac 30-yr avg | $2,234P&I $1,731 | $149 | $16,963 | $96,000 |
| Conventional, 3% downPMI est. 0.7%/yr | 7.18%Freddie Mac 30-yr avg | $2,274P&I $1,768 | $152 | $11,583 | $97,000 |
| FHA, 3.5% down1.75% upfront MIP financed + annual MIP | 6.89%OBMMI FHA avg | $2,211P&I $1,738 | $119 | $12,928 | $95,000 |
| VA, 0% down2.15% funding fee financed; no monthly MI | 6.71%OBMMI VA avg | $2,129P&I $1,775 | — | $3,513 | $91,000 |
Monthly = principal and interest + property tax (0.58% effective) + homeowners insurance (about $224/mo — Louisiana's median premium, 1.00% of home value) + mortgage insurance. HOA dues and local special assessments are not included. Cash to close = down payment + Louisiana's average closing costs ($3,513). PMI is an illustrative 0.7% a year; FHA and VA figures use HUD's MIP schedule and VA's first-use funding fee. Income needed = the gross yearly income at which the monthly figure is 28% of pay, the classic housing-cost guideline. Lenders also limit your total monthly debts as a share of income, so car, student-loan and card payments raise the income you need.
Prices, loan limits and payments in Louisiana's biggest counties
Home prices, and so the loan you need, vary more inside Louisiana than rates do. The table covers the largest county markets. Pick a row to load it into the calculator above.
| County | Median list priceSep 2026 · yr/yr | Avg purchase loanHMDA 2025 | Conforming limitmax price at 20% down | At 20% down | Est. paymentP&I + tax + ins. | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Baton Rouge Parish1,850 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $284,900-2.6% | $281,1964,367 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$227,920 loan | $1,919at 7.18% | |
| Orleans Parish1,695 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $317,000-3.9% | $373,7762,589 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$253,600 loan | $2,135at 7.18% | |
| Jefferson Parish1,555 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $280,000-10% | $291,8922,876 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$224,000 loan | $1,886at 7.18% | |
| St. Tammany Parish1,383 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $335,375-4.2% | $329,5793,258 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$268,300 loan | $2,259at 7.18% | |
| Lafayette Parish1,163 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $274,900-8.1% | $259,1153,298 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$219,920 loan | $1,852at 7.18% | |
| Caddo Parish842 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $194,010-4.2% | $215,4902,041 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$155,208 loan | $1,307at 7.18% | |
| Calcasieu Parish665 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $241,372+0.6% | $217,8421,791 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$193,098 loan | $1,626at 7.18% | |
| Livingston Parish588 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $273,500-2.3% | $245,3262,026 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$218,800 loan | $1,842at 7.18% | |
| Ascension Parish494 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $372,0000% | $328,0311,524 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$297,600 loan | $2,506at 7.18% | |
| Tangipahoa Parish490 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $249,850-9.1% | $233,8241,378 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$199,880 loan | $1,683at 7.18% | |
| Terrebonne Parish431 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $229,0000% | $249,311798 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$183,200 loan | $1,543at 7.18% | |
| Bossier Parish408 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $301,053-2.9% | $261,8811,712 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$240,842 loan | $2,028at 7.18% |
Sources: Realtor.com county research data (median listing price, Sep 2026); FHFA 2026 one-unit conforming limits; 2025 HMDA home-purchase originations (average loan, all loan types). Payments use the 30-year average (7.18%, or the jumbo average 7.25% above the limit), Louisiana's 0.58% effective property tax and its median insurance premium (1.00% of value), both from Census ACS 2024 data; county tax rates differ. Max price at 20% down = the county limit ÷ 0.8, the highest price at which a 20%-down loan stays conforming. Homes for sale = active Realtor.com listings in the month, excluding pending sales.
What's different about buying a home in Louisiana
Rates are national, but the rules around the loan are not. These Louisiana specifics can change your payment, your closing or your protections as a borrower.
Homestead tax phase-in ends when a home sells
When a reappraisal raises a homestead-exempt home's assessed value by more than fifty percent, Louisiana phases in the added tax over four years. That phase-in ends on a transfer of ownership, and the property is then taxed on its full assessed value. A buyer should not assume the seller's tax bill carries over.
Source: legis.la.govBoth spouses must concur on community real estate
Louisiana's Civil Code requires the concurrence of both spouses to alienate, encumber, or lease community immovables, meaning real estate that belongs to the marital community. A married couple selling or mortgaging a community home should generally expect both spouses to be involved in the transaction.
Source: legis.la.govHurricane deductibles can run two to five percent
Named-storm and hurricane deductibles on homeowners policies typically run two to five percent of the insured property value, according to the Louisiana Department of Insurance. On a home insured for $250,000, a two percent deductible means $5,000 out of pocket before the insurer pays a claim.
Source: ldi.la.govLenders can foreclose by executory process
Louisiana lets a lender enforce a mortgage by executory process when the mortgage is an authentic act importing a confession of judgment. The property is seized and sold without previous citation and judgment, meaning the lender need not first sue the borrower and win a judgment.
Source: legis.la.govSeller disclosure due no later than the offer
Louisiana requires sellers of residential property to give buyers a completed disclosure form by the time the buyer makes an offer. If it arrives later, the buyer may terminate the contract or withdraw the offer within seventy-two hours of receipt, excluding weekends and holidays, and get the deposit back.
Source: legis.la.govChecked against official sources on October 20, 2026. Laws and programs change; confirm details with the agency named or a local real estate attorney.
How Louisiana buyers finance their homes
USDA loans are where Louisiana stands out: they made up 3.5% of home loans originated here in 2025, against 0.6% nationally — the highest USDA share of any state. Lenders, agents and appraisers here handle USDA deals routinely, which helps if that is the loan you need.
| Loan type | Share in LA | U.S. share | Approval in LA | Avg loan in LA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | 66.6% | 78.0% | 67.0% | $230,830 |
| FHA | 20.2% | 13.2% | 74.5% | $231,891 |
| VA | 9.7% | 8.2% | 78.9% | $294,701 |
| USDA | 3.5% | 0.6% | 88.9% | $194,457 |
The average Louisiana home loan in 2025 was $235,957 — 33% below the U.S. average of $352,861, the 7th-smallest of 51 jurisdictions. Home purchases accounted for 67.7% of those loans (U.S. 64.2%); cash-out refinances for 12.2% (U.S. 17.1%), a sign that fewer owners here borrowed against their equity.
Source: 2025 HMDA originations, FFIEC/CFPB. Approval = originated ÷ (originated + denied).
Louisiana loan limits for 2026
All 64 of Louisiana's counties use the 2026 baseline conforming limit of $832,750 for a one-unit home. Any loan above that is a jumbo loan here, which usually means a larger down payment and cash reserves. See the full national grid in our loan limits by property type.
County limits: FHFA 2026 conforming loan limit list (one-unit properties; two- to four-unit limits are higher).
Cash you'll need to close in Louisiana
Average closing costs in Louisiana are about $3,513 including transfer taxes (No. 26 of 51, highest first). On a home at the median list price of $269,000:
| 20% down | 3% down | |
|---|---|---|
| Down payment | $53,800 | $8,070 |
| Average closing costs | $3,513 | $3,513 |
| Cash to close (estimate) | $57,313 | $11,583 |
Prepaid taxes and insurance are extra. Closing-cost averages by state (source: Bankrate).
Transfer taxes and recording rules in Louisiana
Louisiana's constitution (Article VII, Section 2.3, approved by voters in November 2011) bars the state and local governments from creating any new tax or fee on the sale or transfer of real estate, including documentary transaction taxes; recording and filing fees are not counted as transfer taxes. Source: senate.la.gov
Getting approved in Louisiana
Federal HMDA lending records show Louisiana lenders originated 69,272 home loans in 2025 and denied 29,558 applications — an approval rate near 70.1% among decisioned applications, against 76.6% nationwide. See how all 50 states compare in our mortgage approval study, and how Louisiana ranks for CFPB complaint data (4,969 on record).
Shopping for a loan? See the most active mortgage lenders in Louisiana, ranked by federal HMDA volume.
Down-payment help in Louisiana
You rarely need 20% down. These are the main programs from LHC, Louisiana's housing finance agency; they are offered through participating lenders, usually alongside the agency's own first mortgage.
MRB Assisted
A Louisiana Housing Corporation bond-funded first mortgage for first-time buyers with a second mortgage equal to 4% of the loan, forgiven after five years of owner occupancy. Income must be under 115% of area median (140% in targeted areas).
Source: lhc.la.govKeys for Service
4% assistance for active law-enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics and certified teachers, who don't need to be first-time buyers.
Source: lhc.la.govChecked against official sources on October 9, 2026. Assistance amounts, income limits and funding change during the year — confirm current terms with LHC or a participating lender.
Is there an MCC in Louisiana? Not confirmed
LHC's MCC page has been taken down and its current homebuyer programs (the HomeStart family) don't list an MCC; we found no closure notice. How mortgage credit certificates work.
Check current terms at LHC, see how a smaller down payment changes your number with the minimum down payment tool, or compare first-time buyer help by state.
How these numbers are measured
- Freddie Mac PMMS (30- and 15-year): a weekly average of rates offered to borrowers with 20% down and strong credit, published Thursdays; latest week Nov 5, 2026. Points are not reported.
- Optimal Blue OBMMI (FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo): daily averages of rates actually locked, across credit profiles. Points vary by loan.
- APOR (APR benchmark): FFIEC/CFPB's weekly Average Prime Offer Rate, an APR that includes typical points and fees for a prime borrower. Regulators use it to flag higher-priced loans.
- HMDA 2025 (Louisiana vs U.S.): rates, costs, points and down payments on loans that actually closed, reported by lenders to federal regulators. Updated once a year.
- Census ACS 2024 (property tax and insurance): what homeowners with a mortgage in Louisiana reported paying — the median real-estate tax divided by the median home value, and the median insurance premium as a share of value. Updated once a year.
- Interest rate vs APR: the rate sets your payment; the APR adds points and lender fees spread over the loan. Compare APRs on Loan Estimates for the same day and loan type.
Rates and APOR refresh every week; HMDA, loan limits and closing-cost averages refresh when their publishers release new data. Reviewed by our data editors. Full sources and formulas: how these figures are built.
Louisiana mortgage FAQ
What is a good mortgage rate in Louisiana right now?
A 30-year fixed close to the national average of 7.18% (Freddie Mac, week of Nov 5, 2026) is a fair benchmark for a borrower with strong credit and 20% down. In 2025, Louisiana's conventional buyers paid a median 6.50%.
Quotes well above that usually reflect lower credit, a small down payment or lender credits taken in exchange for a higher rate.
Are mortgage rates higher in Louisiana than in other states?
No, about the same as nationally. In 2025 HMDA records, Louisiana's median conventional 30-year rate was 6.50%, against 6.50% nationally.
Against the benchmark for each loan's lock week, which counts points and fees, Louisiana loans priced 0.02 percentage points above it (the 23rd-highest of all 50 states and the District of Columbia), against 0.02 above nationally.
Rates are set mainly in one national market, so your credit, down payment and loan size matter more.
What are current jumbo mortgage rates in Louisiana?
The national jumbo 30-year average is 7.25% (Optimal Blue). In 2025, Louisiana's jumbo buyers paid a median 6.63%. A loan is jumbo above the $832,750 conforming limit, which applies in every Louisiana county.
Jumbo lenders typically want 10–20% down, a 700+ credit score and 6–12 months of reserves.
Should I choose a 15-year or 30-year mortgage?
On a $215,200 loan (20% down on Louisiana's median list price), a 30-year at 7.18% costs $1,458 a month and a 15-year at 6.57% costs $1,883.
The 15-year saves about $185,898 in interest but needs $425 more a month, so it fits only if that payment is comfortable.
How much does a 1% difference in mortgage rates change my monthly payment?
On a $215,200 loan (20% down on Louisiana's median list price), moving from 7.18% to 8.18% raises the principal-and-interest payment from $1,458 to $1,606, or $148 a month.
Over 30 years that is about $53,391 more in interest, which is why comparing several lenders on the same day matters.
Are mortgage rates different for purchase and refinance loans?
Yes, slightly. In 2025, Louisiana's conventional rate-and-term refinances closed at a median 6.49% and purchases at 6.50%, partly because refinances bunch up when rates dip. Refinances priced 0.02 percentage points above the market benchmark; cash-out refinances usually cost more. Your own pricing depends on credit, loan-to-value and points.
How much is a $400,000 mortgage at 7.18% interest?
About $2,710 a month in principal and interest over 30 years. In Louisiana, a $500,000 home with that loan adds roughly $242 a month in property tax at the 0.58% effective rate, plus homeowners insurance. Over 30 years the loan costs about $575,506 in interest.
How much income do I need to buy a home in Louisiana?
About $78,000 a year for a home at the $269,000 median list price with 20% down, if the full $1,812 monthly payment, including tax and insurance, stays within 28% of gross income.
Smaller down payments add mortgage insurance and raise that figure; existing debts lower what lenders approve.
What down payment assistance is available in Louisiana?
LHC, the state housing finance agency, runs MRB Assisted and Keys for Service, offered through participating lenders. Help usually comes as a grant or a deferred or forgivable second loan paired with the agency's first mortgage.
Amounts, income limits and funding change during the year, so confirm current terms with LHC or a participating lender before you apply.
- Freddie Mac — Primary Mortgage Market Survey
- FFIEC / CFPB — Average Prime Offer Rates (APOR)
- FFIEC / CFPB — HMDA data browser (2025 loan-level records)
- Optimal Blue OBMMI via FRED (FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo)
- FHFA — 2026 conforming loan limits by county
- U.S. Census Bureau — 2024 American Community Survey microdata (property tax and homeowners insurance)
- HUD — Handbook 4000.1 (FHA mortgage insurance)
Rates shown are national weekly averages for general guidance, not an offer or personalized quote. Payment estimates assume the down payment noted plus estimated taxes and insurance. Confirm current pricing with a licensed lender.