What interest rate is too high?
A high-interest loan is one with an annual percentage rate above 36% that can be tough to repay.
Although there is no strict definition for high-interest debt, many experts classify it as anything above the average interest rates for mortgages and student loans. These typically range between 2% and 7%, meaning that interest rates of 8% and above are considered high.
740 and above: Below 8% (look for loans for excellent credit) 670 to 739: Around 14% (look for loans for good credit) 580 to 669: Around 18% (look for loans for fair credit) Below 579: Around 30% (look for loans for bad credit)
According to Rachel Sanborn Lawrence, advisory services director and certified financial planner at Ellevest, you should feel OK about taking on purposeful debt that's below 10% APR, and even better if it's below 5% APR.
Yes, a 24% APR is high for a credit card. While many credit cards offer a range of interest rates, you'll qualify for lower rates with a higher credit score. Improving your credit score is a simple path to getting lower rates on your credit card.
In today's market, a good mortgage interest rate can fall in the high-6% range, depending on several factors, such as the type of mortgage, loan term, and individual financial circ*mstances. To understand what a favorable mortgage rate looks like for you, get quotes from a few different lenders and compare them.
Generally, what's considered a bad interest rate is anything higher than 10%. Ideally, you want to get an interest rate that's below 5% — but with little or bad credit, that can be harder to achieve.
Key takeaways. Your credit card APR can go up if the prime rate changes, you paid your credit card bill late, your intro APR offer ended or your credit score dropped. If your APR increases, you can work on paying down your balance or transfer your balance to a card with a low or 0 percent intro APR offer.
Usury Laws and the Credit Card Industry
Today the highest credit card rate goes as high as 36 percent, much higher than the 24 percent cap set by states with tighter usury limits. While the 36 percent rate is considered usurious under many states' usury laws, that figure is nonetheless legal.
These actions resulted in historically low mortgage rates until early 2022, when the Fed began tightening its balance sheet and raising rates to combat inflation. What's the Highest Mortgage Rate in History? From 1971 to present, the highest average mortgage rate ever recorded was 18.63% in October 1981.
Will interest rates go down to 5?
The 30-year fixed mortgage rate is expected to fall to the low-6% range through the end of 2024, dipping into high-5% territory by early 2025. Here's where mortgage interest rates are headed for the rest of the year and how that will impact the housing market as a whole.
The expected decreasing inflationary pressure, plus the added impact of a falling federal funds rate in 2024, is likely to push mortgage rates lower. But while the Fed raised its benchmark rate fast in 2022–2023, it's expected to bring rates down at a much more gradual pace in 2024 and beyond.
Army Reserve servicemembers who are absent from duty as a result of being wounded or being granted leave are also granted protection under the act. The Six Percent Rule: An Army Reserve servicemember has the ability to reduce consumer debt and mortgage interest rates to 6% under certain circ*mstances.
Penalty APRs are part of why credit card overspending can be so dangerous, as they may reach higher than 29.99% when a payment is at least 60 days late. Interest rates this high would be unthinkable in most other common lending contexts.
The APR you receive is based on your credit score – the higher your score, the lower your APR. A good APR is around 22%, which is the current average for credit cards. People with bad credit may only have options for higher APR credit cards around 30%. Some people with good credit may find cards with APR as low as 16%.
Product | Interest Rate | APR |
---|---|---|
30-Year Fixed Rate | 6.95% | 7.00% |
20-Year Fixed Rate | 6.64% | 6.69% |
15-Year Fixed Rate | 6.34% | 6.42% |
10-Year Fixed Rate | 6.20% | 6.27% |
Mortgage giant Fannie Mae likewise raised its outlook, now expecting 30-year mortgage rates to be at 6.4 percent by the end of 2024, compared to an earlier forecast of 5.8 percent.
Inflation and Fed hikes have pushed mortgage rates up to a 20-year high. 30-year mortgage rates are currently expected to fall to somewhere between 6.1% and 6.4% in 2024. Instead of waiting for rates to drop, homebuyers should consider buying now and refinancing later to avoid increased competition next year.
For the mortgage market, that could also mean that rates come down. Already, 30-year mortgage rates have fallen from recent highs. While they reached approximately 8% in October 2023, they now average 6.63% as of the beginning of February 2024, according to Freddie Mac.
Credit Score | New Car Loan | Refinance Car Loan |
---|---|---|
750 or higher | 12.77% | 7.89% |
700-749 | 12.65% | 8.98% |
600-699 | 17.84% | 10.09% |
451-599 | 22.56% | 12.76% |
Is 4.75 a good mortgage rate?
Is 4.75% a good interest rate for a mortgage? Currently, yes—4.75% is a good interest rate for a mortgage. While mortgage rates fluctuate so often—which can affect the definition of a good interest rate for a mortgage—4.75% is lower than the current average for both a 15-year fixed loan and a 30-year mortgage.
The current highest credit card interest rate is 36% on the First PREMIER® Bank Mastercard Credit Card.
Having a 700 credit score puts you in the “prime” category for borrowing. According to Experian, the average rates for this category are 6.44% for new-car loans and 9.06% for used-car loans.
Credit score | Average APR, new car | Average APR, used car |
---|---|---|
Prime: 661-780. | 7.01%. | 9.73%. |
Nonprime: 601-660. | 9.60%. | 14.12%. |
Subprime: 501-600. | 12.28%. | 18.89%. |
Deep subprime: 300-500. | 14.78%. | 21.55%. |
A 749 credit score is a good credit score. The good-credit range includes scores of 700 to 749, while an excellent credit score is 750 to 850, and people with scores this high are in a good position to qualify for the best possible mortgages, auto loans and credit cards, among other things.
References
- https://www.credible.com/mortgage/1000000-mortgage
- https://www.credible.com/mortgage/200000-mortgage
- https://themortgagereports.com/25363/paying-mortgage-points-whats-the-point
- https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/20/us-cities-where-you-need-to-earn-over-200000-dollars-to-afford-a-home.html
- https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/credit-cards/advice/how-to-negotiate-a-lower-interest-rate-on-your-credit-cards/
- https://www.fidelitybank.com/resources/knowledge-center/calculator-how-much-will-i-save-by-increasing-my-mortgage-payment/
- https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/car-loans/auto-loan-interest-rates-by-credit-score/
- https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-pay-off-my-30-year-old-mortgage-in-10-years
- https://wallethub.com/answers/cc/highest-credit-card-interest-rate-2140660307/
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/student-loans/100k-student-loan-monthly-payment/
- https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/mortgage-interest-rates-forecast/
- https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/09/refinancing-mortgage.asp
- https://www.noradarealestate.com/blog/will-mortgage-rates-ever-be-3-percent-again/
- https://www.thestreet.com/real-estate/down-payment-on-house-14686280
- https://www.volkswagenofdesmoines.com/finance/car-buying-tips/what-happens-to-interest-rates-if-you-have-bad-credit/
- https://money.usnews.com/loans/mortgages/articles/when-is-refinancing-your-mortgage-a-bad-idea
- https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/30-year-mortgage-rates/
- https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/car-loans/capital-one-auto-refinance/
- https://www.investopedia.com/mortgage/mortgage-rates/points/
- https://wallethub.com/credit-score-range/749-credit-score
- https://jbrec.com/insights/5-5-is-still-the-magic-number/
- https://www.cabotwealth.com/daily/personal-finance/extra-mortgage-payments-save-thousands
- https://parishlending.com/blog/5000more
- https://www.cainmortgageteam.com/how-much-house-can-i-afford-with-a-60k-salary/
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/advisor/2020/10/12/heres-the-no-1-reason-people-dont-refinance-their-mortgages/
- https://www.foxroach.com/blog/house-affordability-calculator/
- https://www.usbank.com/home-loans/mortgage/first-time-home-buyers/credit-score-for-mortgage.html
- https://www.equifax.com/personal/education/credit-cards/articles/-/learn/should-i-refinance-my-mortgage/
- https://better.com/faq/refinancing-your-mortgage/how-will-a-refinance-affect-my-monthly-mortgage-payments
- https://money.usnews.com/loans/mortgages/articles/how-to-pay-off-your-mortgage-faster
- https://www.nestapple.com/how-much-house-can-i-afford-on-100k-salary/
- https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/advice/average-auto-loan-interest-rates
- https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/new-house-calculator/
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/mortgages/mortgage-points-are-they-worth-paying/
- https://homework.study.com/explanation/why-does-it-take-30-years-to-pay-off-a-150-000-loan-even-though-you-pay-1-000-a-month.html
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/personal-loans/100000-personal-loan/
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/good-interest-rates-for-personal-loans/
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/will-mortgage-rates-drop-below-6-in-2024-heres-what-some-experts-think/
- https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0711/4-reasons-not-to-refinance-your-home.aspx
- https://spirefinancial.com/can-i-sell-my-home-after-a-cash-out-refinance/
- https://money.usnews.com/loans/mortgages/articles/historical-mortgage-rates
- https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/how-does-refinancing-a-mortgage-work/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/loans/auto-loans/average-car-loan-interest-rates-by-credit-score
- https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/credit-score-to-refinance/
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/2-000-month-gets-mortgage-090000999.html
- https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/reasons-not-to-refinance-your-home
- https://www.americanfinancing.net/saving-money/extra-mortgage-principal-payments
- https://www.credible.com/blog/mortgages/credit-score-to-refinance/
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-much-does-25-make-monthly-mortgage-payment-joe-tornberg-jd-mba
- https://www.clearviewfcu.org/Resources/Learn/Blog/Does-Refinancing-Hurt-My-Credit
- https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/how-often-should-you-compare-mortgage-rates/
- https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/what-to-do-after-card-apr-increase/
- https://www.finder.com/mortgages/550000-mortgage
- https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-are-discount-points-and-lender-credits-and-how-do-they-work-en-136/
- https://www.wellsfargo.com/financial-education/homeownership/loan-amortization-extra-payments/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/will-mortgage-rates-go-down-in-2024
- https://myhome.freddiemac.com/refinancing/costs-of-refinancing
- https://www.primelending.com/calculators/discount-points-calculator
- https://www.quickenloans.com/learn/pros-and-cons-of-refinancing
- https://themortgagereports.com/76824/what-is-a-good-mortgage-rate-today
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/what-is-a-good-apr-for-a-credit-card/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/when-to-refinance-mortgage
- https://www.cusocal.org/Learn/Financial-Guidance/Blog/can-you-negotiate-mortgage-rates
- https://www.resiclubanalytics.com/p/forecasters-expect-mortgage-rates-2025
- https://spirefinancial.com/how-much-of-a-difference-does-1-percent-make-on-a-mortgage/
- https://smartasset.com/mortgage/mistakes-to-avoid-when-paying-off-your-mortgage-early
- https://www.mpamag.com/us/mortgage-industry/guides/average-mortgage-rate-everything-you-need-to-know/433239
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-much-would-a-100000-home-equity-loan-cost-per-month/
- https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/how-much-does-one-percent-save-on-mortgage
- https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/monthly-cost-100000-mortgage/
- https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/refinance-rates/
- https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/do-i-need-money-down-to-refinance/
- https://selfi.com/why-your-lender-wants-you-to-refinance/
- https://www.foxbusiness.com/money/how-to-pay-off-200k-mortgage
- https://wallethub.com/edu/cc/usury-laws/25568
- https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/i-make-150k-a-year-how-much-house-can-i-afford/
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/home/2024/01/12/why-did-mortgage-payment-go-up/
- https://www.latimes.com/compare-deals/credit-cards/guides/good-apr-for-credit-card
- https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/i-make-40k-a-year-how-much-house-can-i-afford/
- https://www.chase.com/personal/mortgage/education/financing-a-home/mortgage-points
- https://www.mortgagecalculator.org/calculators/mortgage-payment-calculator.php
- https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/mortgages/articles/heres-what-happens-when-you-make-an-extra-mortgage-payment/
- https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/monthly-cost-200000-mortgage/
- https://personalfinanceblogs.com/is-36000-a-good-salary-for-a-single-person/
- https://www.bankrate.com/home-equity/get-equity-paid-off-home/
- https://www.investopedia.com/will-2024-mortgage-rates-fall-clues-from-wednesdays-fed-announcement-8611482
- https://themortgagereports.com/51755/should-i-refinance-for-quarter-percent-lower-refinance-rates
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/do-you-lose-home-equity-when-you-refinance-your-mortgage/
- https://money.com/is-now-a-good-time-to-refinance/
- https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/personal-loans/what-is-good-interest-rate-personal-loan/
- https://themortgagereports.com/106432/how-to-pay-off-mortgage-in-five-years
- https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/mortgage-points/
- https://stairsfinancial.com/blog/how-much-house-can-i-afford-on-40k-a-year
- https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/income-needed-for-200k-home/
- https://www.investopedia.com/mortgage/refinance/when-and-when-not-to-refinance-mortgage/
- https://themortgagereports.com/30891/should-i-refinance-or-just-pay-down-the-principal
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/what-is-the-28-36-rule-for-buying-a-home/
- https://www.unison.com/blog/how-long-to-get-cash-out-refinance/
- https://www.creditkarma.com/home-loans/i/how-often-can-you-refinance
- https://smartasset.com/mortgage/when-should-you-pay-points-on-a-mortgage
- https://www.credible.com/mortgage/300000-mortgage
- https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/is-no-closing-cost-for-you/
- https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/average-mortgage-term-length/
- https://www.bankrate.com/home-equity/do-i-lose-home-equity-after-refinancing/
- https://www.usbank.com/home-loans/mortgage/mortgage-calculators/mortgage-points-calculator.html
- https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/i-make-36k-a-year-how-much-house-can-i-afford/
- https://themortgagereports.com/84644/income-for-200k-mortgage
- https://www.finder.com/mortgages/100000-mortgage
- https://www.equifax.com/personal/education/debt-management/articles/-/learn/manage-high-interest-rate/
- https://www.lendingtree.com/credit-cards/articles/apr-ranges-explained/
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/what-to-do-if-denied-mortgage-refinance/
- https://www.credible.com/mortgage/150000-mortgage
- https://www.credible.com/mortgage/100000-mortgage
- https://www.mortgageretirementprofessor.com/A%20-%20Points/invest_in_points_or_larger_down_payment.htm
- https://www.credible.com/mortgage/worth-refinancing-for-half-percent
- https://money.usnews.com/loans/mortgages/mortgage-rate-forecast
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/can-i-negotiate-a-lower-interest-rate-on-my-credit-card/
- https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Benefit-Library/Federal-Benefits/Servicemembers-Civil-Relief-Act-(SCRA)?serv=121
- https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/refinance-home-equity-is-important/
- https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/mortgage-rates/