2026 Data: Today's Home Buyers Will Pay More in Mortgage Interest Than the Home Itself
Lifetime mortgage interest recently crossed 100% of the home's price for the first time since September 2025. At today's 6.53% rate, here's what that means across 100 U.S. metros.
A buyer financing the median-priced U.S. home at today's 6.53% mortgage rate (as of May 28, 2026) will pay $413,700 in interest over a 30-year loan, $10,500 more than the home itself costs. That is $249,188 more than if 2021's 2.96% average rate applied today.
By the end of the loan, today's home buyers will have paid more than twice the home's price: once for the house and again in interest.
Today's Home Buyers Pay More in Mortgage Interest Than the Home Itself
At today's 6.53% rate with 20% down, the typical U.S. home buyer will pay $413,700 in mortgage interest over 30 years, or 102.6% of the median home's price. Including the down payment, the total out-of-pocket cost of buying the median U.S. home is $816,900, about 2x the sticker price.
The median U.S. home costs $403,200, according to FRED's Median Sales Price of Houses Sold. A buyer who finances that home with a 20% down payment and a 30-year fixed mortgage at today's 6.53% rate will pay $413,700 in mortgage interest over the life of the loan, $10,500 more than the home itself costs.
The monthly payment is $2,045, multiplied across 30 years, or 360 months, for a total of $736,260 paid back to the lender (about 1.8x the home's $403,200 sticker price).
Add the $80,640 down payment, and total out-of-pocket cost climbs to $816,900, roughly 2x the home itself. Subtract the original $322,560 loan amount, and what's left is the $413,700 you pay just to borrow the money.
The week of May 21, 2026, marked the first time since September 2025 that lifetime mortgage interest crossed 100% of the home's price.
The 102.6% ratio holds in every metro studied, whether the home costs $150,000 or $2 million. The dollar figures change wildly. The ratio does not.
When you take out a mortgage, every monthly payment is split between principal (the amount of the loan you're paying down) and mortgage interest (what the lender charges to let you borrow that money). Early in the loan, most of each payment goes toward interest. Later in the loan, more of it finally chips away at the principal. This process is called amortization, and it's why a 30-year mortgage can cost as much as the home itself.
A 15-Year Mortgage Saves $250,378 in Lifetime Interest
On the median U.S. home with 20% down, a 15-year mortgage at today's 5.87% rate saves $250,378 in lifetime interest compared with a 30-year mortgage at today's 6.53% rate. A buyer with a 15-year mortgage pays $163,322 in interest, well under half the $413,700 a buyer with a 30-year mortgage pays.
The catch is the monthly payment. A 15-year mortgage on the median U.S. home costs $2,699 a month, or $654 more than the monthly payment of $2,045 on a 30-year option. That works out to $7,850 more every year.
Whether the trade-off is worth it comes down to buyers' monthly budget and how confident they are in their income for the next 15 years.
Home Buyers at Today's Rate Pay $692 More Every Month Than 2021 Buyers Did
If 2021's 2.96% average rate applied to today's median home, a buyer would pay $692 less every month than at today's 6.53% rate. Over 30 years, that compounds to $249,188 less in lifetime interest on the same home.
If 2021's 2.96% average rate applied to a median-priced home today, a buyer would pay $164,512 in mortgage interest over 30 years. At the current 6.53% rate, that same buyer pays $413,700, an extra $249,188 over the life of the loan.
That works out to $692 more every month, or $8,306 more every year, for the same exact home.
The math gets even harsher as rates climb. At today's 6.53% rate, lifetime mortgage interest already exceeds the median home's full purchase price in every metro, reaching 102.6% nationally. At 7%, that climbs to 111.6%.
A buyer at 8% would pay $529,499 in interest on the median home, 31% more than the median home itself costs.
| Rate | Monthly Payment | Total Paid (30 yr) | Lifetime Mortgage Interest | Interest as % of Home Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.96% (2021) | $1,353 | $487,072 | $164,512 | 40.8% |
| 3.00% | $1,360 | $489,573 | $167,013 | 41.4% |
| 4.00% | $1,540 | $554,382 | $231,822 | 57.5% |
| 5.00% | $1,732 | $623,366 | $300,806 | 74.6% |
| 6.00% | $1,934 | $696,208 | $373,648 | 92.7% |
| 6.53% (today) | $2,045 | $736,260 | $413,700 | 102.6% |
| 7.00% | $2,146 | $772,560 | $450,000 | 111.6% |
| 8.00% | $2,367 | $852,059 | $529,499 | 131.3% |
If Today's Mortgage Rate Climbed 1 Point, Home Buyers Would Pay Nearly $80,000 More in Interest
If today's 6.53% mortgage rate climbed 1 percentage point, the median U.S. home buyer would pay $78,066 more in lifetime interest. Across the 3% to 8% rate spectrum, each percentage point is worth between $65,000 and $80,000 over the life of the loan.
Mortgage interest is charged on the loan balance, so a smaller loan balance or a lower rate means less interest paid over 30 years.
If today's 6.53% mortgage rate climbed just one point to 7.53%, the median U.S. home buyer would pay an extra $78,066 in mortgage interest over the life of a 30-year loan. The monthly payment would only rise by about $217, but those small monthly amounts compound into tens of thousands of dollars over three decades.
The increases get steeper as rates climb. A 1-point move at the low end of the rate spectrum (from 3% to 4%) adds about $65,000 in lifetime interest, while the same 1-point move at the high end (from 7% to 8%) adds about $80,000.
The down payment is the other lever home buyers can pull. A buyer who puts 20% down on the median U.S. home pays $413,700 in lifetime interest at today's rate. A buyer who puts only the FHA minimum of 3.5% down pays $499,026, an extra $85,326 over the life of the loan.
10 Metros Where Home Buyers Pay the Most in Interest
A San Jose, California, home buyer at today's 6.53% rate will pay $1.72 million in lifetime mortgage interest, the highest of any major metro and more than the actual median home price of any other metro studied.
| Rank | Metro | Median Home Price | Monthly Payment | Lifetime Interest at 6.53% | Interest Cost Added Since 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, California | $1,675,000 | $8,496 | $1,718,620 | $1,035,194 |
| 2 | San Francisco, California | $1,200,000 | $6,087 | $1,231,250 | $741,632 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, California | $1,050,000 | $5,326 | $1,077,344 | $648,928 |
| 4 | Honolulu, Hawaii | $1,015,400 | $5,150 | $1,041,843 | $627,544 |
| 5 | San Diego, California | $967,500 | $4,907 | $992,695 | $597,940 |
| 6 | Oxnard, California | $917,750 | $4,655 | $941,650 | $567,194 |
| 7 | Bridgeport, Connecticut | $775,000 | $3,931 | $795,182 | $478,970 |
| 8 | Seattle, Washington | $730,000 | $3,703 | $749,010 | $451,159 |
| 9 | New York, New York | $685,000 | $3,475 | $702,839 | $423,348 |
| 10 | Boston, Massachusetts | $665,000 | $3,373 | $682,318 | $410,987 |
California claims five of the six most interest-burdened metros, led by San Jose at $1.72 million in lifetime mortgage interest, which exceeds the median home price in any other major U.S. city.
Today's San Jose buyers will pay $1,035,194 more in interest than 2021 buyers would have, more than the median home price in 97 of the 100 metros studied.
The Northeast also clusters near the top: Bridgeport, Connecticut, New York, and Boston all crack the top 10, each with lifetime interest north of $660,000.
10 Metros Where Home Buyers Pay the Least in Interest
A Toledo, Ohio, home buyer at today's 6.53% rate will pay $163,654 in lifetime mortgage interest, the lowest of any major U.S. metro studied and less than one-tenth what a San Jose buyer pays on the same loan terms.
| Rank | Metro | Median Home Price | Monthly Payment | Lifetime Interest at 6.53% | Interest Cost Added Since 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toledo, Ohio | $159,500 | $809 | $163,654 | $98,575 |
| 2 | Akron, Ohio | $180,000 | $913 | $184,688 | $111,245 |
| 3 | Scranton, Pennsylvania | $202,250 | $1,026 | $207,517 | $124,996 |
| 4 | Cleveland, Ohio | $214,900 | $1,090 | $220,496 | $132,814 |
| 5 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | $215,000 | $1,091 | $220,599 | $132,876 |
| 6 | Dayton, Ohio | $215,500 | $1,093 | $221,112 | $133,185 |
| 7 | Syracuse, New York | $220,000 | $1,116 | $225,729 | $135,966 |
| 8 | McAllen, Texas | $228,500 | $1,159 | $234,451 | $141,219 |
| 9 | Little Rock, Arkansas | $230,000 | $1,167 | $235,990 | $142,146 |
| 10 | Rochester, New York | $235,000 | $1,192 | $241,120 | $145,236 |
Ohio claims four of the 10 most affordable metros, with Toledo at No. 1.
A Toledo home buyer at today's rate pays $163,654 in mortgage interest over 30 years, about $1.55 million less than a San Jose buyer on the same 30-year, 20%-down terms.
The Rust Belt dominates the list, with Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Akron, Ohio, and Scranton, Pennsylvania, all under $225,000 in lifetime interest.
Ranking 100 Metros by Lifetime Mortgage Interest
The table below ranks 100 of the most populous U.S. metros by lifetime mortgage interest at today's 6.53% rate.
| Rank | Metro | Median Home Price | Monthly Payment | Loan Amount (20% Down) | Lifetime Interest at 6.53% | Lifetime Interest if 2.96% Rate Applied | Interest Cost Added Since 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | United States | $403,200 | $2,045 | $322,560 | $413,700 | $164,512 | $249,188 |
| 1 | San Jose, California | $1,675,000 | $8,496 | $1,340,000 | $1,718,620 | $683,426 | $1,035,194 |
| 2 | San Francisco, California | $1,200,000 | $6,087 | $960,000 | $1,231,250 | $489,619 | $741,632 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, California | $1,050,000 | $5,326 | $840,000 | $1,077,344 | $428,416 | $648,928 |
| 4 | Honolulu, Hawaii | $1,015,400 | $5,150 | $812,320 | $1,041,843 | $414,299 | $627,544 |
| 5 | San Diego, California | $967,500 | $4,907 | $774,000 | $992,695 | $394,755 | $597,940 |
| 6 | Oxnard, California | $917,750 | $4,655 | $734,200 | $941,650 | $374,456 | $567,194 |
| 7 | Bridgeport, Connecticut | $775,000 | $3,931 | $620,000 | $795,182 | $316,212 | $478,970 |
| 8 | Seattle, Washington | $730,000 | $3,703 | $584,000 | $749,010 | $297,851 | $451,159 |
| 9 | New York, New York | $685,000 | $3,475 | $548,000 | $702,839 | $279,491 | $423,348 |
| 10 | Boston, Massachusetts | $665,000 | $3,373 | $532,000 | $682,318 | $271,330 | $410,987 |
| 11 | Denver, Colorado | $599,000 | $3,038 | $479,200 | $614,599 | $244,401 | $370,198 |
| 12 | Washington, D.C. | $596,908 | $3,028 | $477,526 | $612,453 | $243,548 | $368,905 |
| 13 | Riverside, California | $580,000 | $2,942 | $464,000 | $595,104 | $236,649 | $358,455 |
| 14 | Miami, Florida | $580,000 | $2,942 | $464,000 | $595,104 | $236,649 | $358,455 |
| 15 | Sacramento, California | $570,000 | $2,891 | $456,000 | $584,844 | $232,569 | $352,275 |
| 16 | Reno, Nevada | $565,000 | $2,866 | $452,000 | $579,714 | $230,529 | $349,185 |
| 17 | Portland, Oregon | $540,000 | $2,739 | $432,000 | $554,063 | $220,328 | $333,734 |
| 18 | Salt Lake City, Utah | $535,000 | $2,714 | $428,000 | $548,932 | $218,288 | $330,644 |
| 19 | Portland, Maine | $495,000 | $2,511 | $396,000 | $507,891 | $201,968 | $305,923 |
| 20 | Stockton, California | $492,000 | $2,496 | $393,600 | $504,813 | $200,744 | $304,069 |
| 21 | Ogden, Utah | $480,668 | $2,438 | $384,534 | $493,185 | $196,120 | $297,065 |
| 22 | Boise City, Idaho | $465,000 | $2,359 | $372,000 | $477,109 | $189,727 | $287,382 |
| 23 | Phoenix, Arizona | $460,131 | $2,334 | $368,105 | $472,114 | $187,741 | $284,373 |
| 24 | Austin, Texas | $450,000 | $2,283 | $360,000 | $461,719 | $183,607 | $278,112 |
| 25 | Colorado Springs, Colorado | $449,900 | $2,282 | $359,920 | $461,616 | $183,566 | $278,050 |
| 26 | Las Vegas, Nevada | $445,000 | $2,257 | $356,000 | $456,589 | $181,567 | $275,022 |
| 27 | Worcester, Massachusetts | $442,000 | $2,242 | $353,600 | $453,510 | $180,343 | $273,168 |
| 28 | North Port, Florida | $435,000 | $2,206 | $348,000 | $446,328 | $177,487 | $268,841 |
| 29 | Madison, Wisconsin | $435,000 | $2,206 | $348,000 | $446,328 | $177,487 | $268,841 |
| 30 | Nashville, Tennessee | $429,900 | $2,181 | $343,920 | $441,095 | $175,406 | $265,690 |
| 31 | Charleston, South Carolina | $427,000 | $2,166 | $341,600 | $438,120 | $174,223 | $263,897 |
| 32 | Cape Coral, Florida | $425,000 | $2,156 | $340,000 | $436,068 | $173,407 | $262,661 |
| 33 | Raleigh, North Carolina | $415,000 | $2,105 | $332,000 | $425,807 | $169,326 | $256,481 |
| 34 | Fresno, California | $408,300 | $2,071 | $326,640 | $418,933 | $166,593 | $252,340 |
| 35 | Orlando, Florida | $405,000 | $2,054 | $324,000 | $415,547 | $165,246 | $250,301 |
| 36 | Durham, North Carolina | $397,500 | $2,016 | $318,000 | $407,852 | $162,186 | $245,665 |
| 37 | New Haven, Connecticut | $392,500 | $1,991 | $314,000 | $402,721 | $160,146 | $242,575 |
| 38 | Spokane, Washington | $391,500 | $1,986 | $313,200 | $401,695 | $159,738 | $241,957 |
| 39 | Charlotte, North Carolina | $385,000 | $1,953 | $308,000 | $395,026 | $157,086 | $237,940 |
| 40 | Dallas, Texas | $381,595 | $1,936 | $305,276 | $391,532 | $155,697 | $235,836 |
| 41 | Atlanta, Georgia | $380,000 | $1,927 | $304,000 | $389,896 | $155,046 | $234,850 |
| 42 | Richmond, Virginia | $375,000 | $1,902 | $300,000 | $384,766 | $153,006 | $231,760 |
| 43 | Hartford, Connecticut | $375,000 | $1,902 | $300,000 | $384,766 | $153,006 | $231,760 |
| 44 | Tampa, Florida | $372,500 | $1,889 | $298,000 | $382,201 | $151,986 | $230,215 |
| 45 | Baltimore, Maryland | $370,000 | $1,877 | $296,000 | $379,635 | $150,966 | $228,670 |
| 46 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | $368,000 | $1,867 | $294,400 | $377,583 | $150,150 | $227,434 |
| 47 | Jacksonville, Florida | $365,000 | $1,851 | $292,000 | $374,505 | $148,926 | $225,580 |
| 48 | Bakersfield, California | $360,000 | $1,826 | $288,000 | $369,375 | $146,886 | $222,489 |
| 49 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | $360,000 | $1,826 | $288,000 | $369,375 | $146,886 | $222,489 |
| 50 | Tucson, Arizona | $356,750 | $1,810 | $285,400 | $366,040 | $145,560 | $220,481 |
| 51 | Knoxville, Tennessee | $355,000 | $1,801 | $284,000 | $364,245 | $144,845 | $219,399 |
| 52 | Fayetteville, Arkansas | $353,250 | $1,792 | $282,600 | $362,449 | $144,131 | $218,318 |
| 53 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | $346,000 | $1,755 | $276,800 | $355,010 | $141,173 | $213,837 |
| 54 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | $345,000 | $1,750 | $276,000 | $353,984 | $140,765 | $213,219 |
| 55 | Palm Bay, Florida | $342,500 | $1,737 | $274,000 | $351,419 | $139,745 | $211,674 |
| 56 | Chicago, Illinois | $341,000 | $1,730 | $272,800 | $349,880 | $139,133 | $210,747 |
| 57 | Lancaster, Pennsylvania | $335,000 | $1,699 | $268,000 | $343,724 | $136,685 | $207,039 |
| 58 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | $330,000 | $1,674 | $264,000 | $338,594 | $134,645 | $203,949 |
| 59 | Deltona, Florida | $330,000 | $1,674 | $264,000 | $338,594 | $134,645 | $203,949 |
| 60 | Houston, Texas | $324,000 | $1,643 | $259,200 | $332,438 | $132,197 | $200,241 |
| 61 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | $320,500 | $1,626 | $256,400 | $328,846 | $130,769 | $198,077 |
| 62 | Kansas City, Missouri | $320,000 | $1,623 | $256,000 | $328,333 | $130,565 | $197,768 |
| 63 | Allentown, Pennsylvania | $320,000 | $1,623 | $256,000 | $328,333 | $130,565 | $197,768 |
| 64 | Greenville, South Carolina | $312,000 | $1,583 | $249,600 | $320,125 | $127,301 | $192,824 |
| 65 | Columbus, Ohio | $310,000 | $1,572 | $248,000 | $318,073 | $126,485 | $191,588 |
| 66 | Chattanooga, Tennessee | $310,000 | $1,572 | $248,000 | $318,073 | $126,485 | $191,588 |
| 67 | San Antonio, Texas | $295,000 | $1,496 | $236,000 | $302,682 | $120,365 | $182,318 |
| 68 | Lakeland, Florida | $293,450 | $1,488 | $234,760 | $301,092 | $119,732 | $181,360 |
| 69 | Omaha, Nebraska | $287,000 | $1,456 | $229,600 | $294,474 | $117,100 | $177,374 |
| 70 | New Orleans, Louisiana | $282,000 | $1,430 | $225,600 | $289,344 | $115,060 | $174,283 |
| 71 | Indianapolis, Indiana | $275,000 | $1,395 | $220,000 | $282,161 | $112,204 | $169,957 |
| 72 | Cincinnati, Ohio | $275,000 | $1,395 | $220,000 | $282,161 | $112,204 | $169,957 |
| 73 | Winston, North Carolina | $273,000 | $1,385 | $218,400 | $280,109 | $111,388 | $168,721 |
| 74 | Des Moines, Iowa | $271,000 | $1,375 | $216,800 | $278,057 | $110,572 | $167,485 |
| 75 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | $269,850 | $1,369 | $215,880 | $276,877 | $110,103 | $166,774 |
| 76 | Louisville, Kentucky | $266,375 | $1,351 | $213,100 | $273,312 | $108,685 | $164,627 |
| 77 | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania | $265,500 | $1,347 | $212,400 | $272,414 | $108,328 | $164,086 |
| 78 | Birmingham, Alabama | $265,400 | $1,346 | $212,320 | $272,311 | $108,287 | $164,024 |
| 79 | Greensboro, North Carolina | $265,000 | $1,344 | $212,000 | $271,901 | $108,124 | $163,777 |
| 80 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | $263,250 | $1,335 | $210,600 | $270,105 | $107,410 | $162,695 |
| 81 | St. Louis, Missouri | $260,000 | $1,319 | $208,000 | $266,771 | $106,084 | $160,687 |
| 82 | Columbia, South Carolina | $260,000 | $1,319 | $208,000 | $266,771 | $106,084 | $160,687 |
| 83 | Jackson, Mississippi | $259,000 | $1,314 | $207,200 | $265,745 | $105,676 | $160,069 |
| 84 | Augusta, Georgia | $254,000 | $1,288 | $203,200 | $260,615 | $103,636 | $156,979 |
| 85 | Detroit, Michigan | $249,950 | $1,268 | $199,960 | $256,459 | $101,983 | $154,476 |
| 86 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | $245,000 | $1,243 | $196,000 | $251,380 | $99,964 | $151,416 |
| 87 | Buffalo, New York | $242,900 | $1,232 | $194,320 | $249,226 | $99,107 | $150,119 |
| 88 | El Paso, Texas | $242,500 | $1,230 | $194,000 | $248,815 | $98,944 | $149,871 |
| 89 | Wichita, Kansas | $240,000 | $1,217 | $192,000 | $246,250 | $97,924 | $148,326 |
| 90 | Memphis, Tennessee | $237,500 | $1,205 | $190,000 | $243,685 | $96,904 | $146,781 |
| 91 | Rochester, New York | $235,000 | $1,192 | $188,000 | $241,120 | $95,884 | $145,236 |
| 92 | Little Rock, Arkansas | $230,000 | $1,167 | $184,000 | $235,990 | $93,844 | $142,146 |
| 93 | McAllen, Texas | $228,500 | $1,159 | $182,800 | $234,451 | $93,232 | $141,219 |
| 94 | Syracuse, New York | $220,000 | $1,116 | $176,000 | $225,729 | $89,763 | $135,966 |
| 95 | Dayton, Ohio | $215,500 | $1,093 | $172,400 | $221,112 | $87,927 | $133,185 |
| 96 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | $215,000 | $1,091 | $172,000 | $220,599 | $87,723 | $132,876 |
| 97 | Cleveland, Ohio | $214,900 | $1,090 | $171,920 | $220,496 | $87,683 | $132,814 |
| 98 | Scranton, Pennsylvania | $202,250 | $1,026 | $161,800 | $207,517 | $82,521 | $124,996 |
| 99 | Akron, Ohio | $180,000 | $913 | $144,000 | $184,688 | $73,443 | $111,245 |
| 100 | Toledo, Ohio | $159,500 | $809 | $127,600 | $163,654 | $65,078 | $98,575 |
Lifetime Mortgage Interest at Every Rate, by Metro
The table below shows what 30-year mortgage interest looks like in each of the 100 metros at every rate from 2021's 2.96% average through 8%, plus today's 6.53%.
Use the toggle above the table to switch between lifetime interest (the total cost of borrowing over 30 years) and monthly payment at each rate.
| Rank | Metro | Home Price | 2.96% (2021) | 3% | 4% | 5% | 6% | 6.53% (Today) | 7% | 8% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | United States | $403,200 | $164,512 | $167,013 | $231,822 | $300,806 | $373,648 | $413,700 | $450,000 | $529,499 |
| 1 | Toledo, Ohio | $159,500 | $65,078 | $66,068 | $91,705 | $118,994 | $147,810 | $163,654 | $178,013 | $209,462 |
| 2 | Akron, Ohio | $180,000 | $73,443 | $74,560 | $103,492 | $134,288 | $166,807 | $184,688 | $200,893 | $236,384 |
| 3 | Scranton, Pennsylvania | $202,250 | $82,521 | $83,776 | $116,285 | $150,888 | $187,426 | $207,517 | $225,725 | $265,603 |
| 4 | Cleveland, Ohio | $214,900 | $87,683 | $89,016 | $123,558 | $160,325 | $199,149 | $220,496 | $239,844 | $282,216 |
| 5 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | $215,000 | $87,723 | $89,057 | $123,616 | $160,400 | $199,242 | $220,599 | $239,955 | $282,347 |
| 6 | Dayton, Ohio | $215,500 | $87,927 | $89,264 | $123,903 | $160,773 | $199,705 | $221,112 | $240,513 | $283,004 |
| 7 | Syracuse, New York | $220,000 | $89,763 | $91,128 | $126,490 | $164,130 | $203,875 | $225,729 | $245,536 | $288,913 |
| 8 | McAllen, Texas | $228,500 | $93,232 | $94,649 | $131,377 | $170,472 | $211,752 | $234,451 | $255,022 | $300,076 |
| 9 | Little Rock, Arkansas | $230,000 | $93,844 | $95,271 | $132,240 | $171,591 | $213,142 | $235,990 | $256,696 | $302,046 |
| 10 | Rochester, New York | $235,000 | $95,884 | $97,342 | $135,115 | $175,321 | $217,776 | $241,120 | $262,277 | $308,612 |
| 11 | Memphis, Tennessee | $237,500 | $96,904 | $98,377 | $136,552 | $177,186 | $220,093 | $243,685 | $265,067 | $311,895 |
| 12 | Wichita, Kansas | $240,000 | $97,924 | $99,413 | $137,989 | $179,051 | $222,409 | $246,250 | $267,857 | $315,178 |
| 13 | El Paso, Texas | $242,500 | $98,944 | $100,448 | $139,427 | $180,916 | $224,726 | $248,815 | $270,647 | $318,461 |
| 14 | Buffalo, New York | $242,900 | $99,107 | $100,614 | $139,657 | $181,215 | $225,097 | $249,226 | $271,094 | $318,986 |
| 15 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | $245,000 | $99,964 | $101,484 | $140,864 | $182,781 | $227,043 | $251,380 | $273,437 | $321,744 |
| 16 | Detroit, Michigan | $249,950 | $101,983 | $103,534 | $143,710 | $186,474 | $231,630 | $256,459 | $278,962 | $328,245 |
| 17 | Augusta, Georgia | $254,000 | $103,636 | $105,212 | $146,039 | $189,496 | $235,383 | $260,615 | $283,482 | $333,563 |
| 18 | Jackson, Mississippi | $259,000 | $105,676 | $107,283 | $148,914 | $193,226 | $240,017 | $265,745 | $289,062 | $340,130 |
| 19 | Columbia, South Carolina | $260,000 | $106,084 | $107,697 | $149,489 | $193,972 | $240,943 | $266,771 | $290,179 | $341,443 |
| 20 | St. Louis, Missouri | $260,000 | $106,084 | $107,697 | $149,489 | $193,972 | $240,943 | $266,771 | $290,179 | $341,443 |
| 21 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | $263,250 | $107,410 | $109,043 | $151,357 | $196,397 | $243,955 | $270,105 | $293,806 | $345,711 |
| 22 | Greensboro, North Carolina | $265,000 | $108,124 | $109,768 | $152,363 | $197,702 | $245,577 | $271,901 | $295,759 | $348,009 |
| 23 | Birmingham, Alabama | $265,400 | $108,287 | $109,934 | $152,593 | $198,001 | $245,948 | $272,311 | $296,205 | $348,534 |
| 24 | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania | $265,500 | $108,328 | $109,975 | $152,651 | $198,075 | $246,040 | $272,414 | $296,317 | $348,666 |
| 25 | Louisville, Kentucky | $266,375 | $108,685 | $110,338 | $153,154 | $198,728 | $246,851 | $273,312 | $297,293 | $349,815 |
| 26 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | $269,850 | $110,103 | $111,777 | $155,152 | $201,321 | $250,071 | $276,877 | $301,172 | $354,378 |
| 27 | Des Moines, Iowa | $271,000 | $110,572 | $112,254 | $155,813 | $202,179 | $251,137 | $278,057 | $302,455 | $355,889 |
| 28 | Winston, North Carolina | $273,000 | $111,388 | $113,082 | $156,963 | $203,671 | $252,991 | $280,109 | $304,687 | $358,515 |
| 29 | Cincinnati, Ohio | $275,000 | $112,204 | $113,910 | $158,113 | $205,163 | $254,844 | $282,161 | $306,920 | $361,142 |
| 30 | Indianapolis, Indiana | $275,000 | $112,204 | $113,910 | $158,113 | $205,163 | $254,844 | $282,161 | $306,920 | $361,142 |
| 31 | New Orleans, Louisiana | $282,000 | $115,060 | $116,810 | $162,138 | $210,385 | $261,331 | $289,344 | $314,732 | $370,334 |
| 32 | Omaha, Nebraska | $287,000 | $117,100 | $118,881 | $165,012 | $214,115 | $265,964 | $294,474 | $320,312 | $376,900 |
| 33 | Lakeland, Florida | $293,450 | $119,732 | $121,553 | $168,721 | $218,927 | $271,942 | $301,092 | $327,511 | $385,371 |
| 34 | San Antonio, Texas | $295,000 | $120,365 | $122,195 | $169,612 | $220,084 | $273,378 | $302,682 | $329,241 | $387,406 |
| 35 | Chattanooga, Tennessee | $310,000 | $126,485 | $128,408 | $178,236 | $231,274 | $287,279 | $318,073 | $345,982 | $407,105 |
| 36 | Columbus, Ohio | $310,000 | $126,485 | $128,408 | $178,236 | $231,274 | $287,279 | $318,073 | $345,982 | $407,105 |
| 37 | Greenville, South Carolina | $312,000 | $127,301 | $129,237 | $179,386 | $232,766 | $289,132 | $320,125 | $348,214 | $409,731 |
| 38 | Allentown, Pennsylvania | $320,000 | $130,565 | $132,550 | $183,986 | $238,735 | $296,546 | $328,333 | $357,143 | $420,237 |
| 39 | Kansas City, Missouri | $320,000 | $130,565 | $132,550 | $183,986 | $238,735 | $296,546 | $328,333 | $357,143 | $420,237 |
| 40 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | $320,500 | $130,769 | $132,757 | $184,273 | $239,108 | $297,009 | $328,846 | $357,701 | $420,894 |
| 41 | Houston, Texas | $324,000 | $132,197 | $134,207 | $186,286 | $241,719 | $300,253 | $332,438 | $361,607 | $425,490 |
| 42 | Deltona, Florida | $330,000 | $134,645 | $136,692 | $189,735 | $246,195 | $305,813 | $338,594 | $368,303 | $433,370 |
| 43 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | $330,000 | $134,645 | $136,692 | $189,735 | $246,195 | $305,813 | $338,594 | $368,303 | $433,370 |
| 44 | Lancaster, Pennsylvania | $335,000 | $136,685 | $138,764 | $192,610 | $249,926 | $310,446 | $343,724 | $373,884 | $439,936 |
| 45 | Chicago, Illinois | $341,000 | $139,133 | $141,249 | $196,060 | $254,402 | $316,007 | $349,880 | $380,580 | $447,816 |
| 46 | Palm Bay, Florida | $342,500 | $139,745 | $141,870 | $196,922 | $255,521 | $317,397 | $351,419 | $382,254 | $449,785 |
| 47 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | $345,000 | $140,765 | $142,906 | $198,360 | $257,386 | $319,713 | $353,984 | $385,045 | $453,068 |
| 48 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | $346,000 | $141,173 | $143,320 | $198,935 | $258,132 | $320,640 | $355,010 | $386,161 | $454,382 |
| 49 | Fayetteville, Arkansas | $353,250 | $144,131 | $146,323 | $203,103 | $263,541 | $327,359 | $362,449 | $394,252 | $463,903 |
| 50 | Knoxville, Tennessee | $355,000 | $144,845 | $147,048 | $204,109 | $264,846 | $328,980 | $364,245 | $396,205 | $466,201 |
| 51 | Tucson, Arizona | $356,750 | $145,560 | $147,773 | $205,116 | $266,152 | $330,602 | $366,040 | $398,158 | $468,499 |
| 52 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | $360,000 | $146,886 | $149,119 | $206,984 | $268,577 | $333,614 | $369,375 | $401,786 | $472,767 |
| 53 | Bakersfield, California | $360,000 | $146,886 | $149,119 | $206,984 | $268,577 | $333,614 | $369,375 | $401,786 | $472,767 |
| 54 | Jacksonville, Florida | $365,000 | $148,926 | $151,190 | $209,859 | $272,307 | $338,248 | $374,505 | $407,366 | $479,333 |
| 55 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | $368,000 | $150,150 | $152,433 | $211,584 | $274,545 | $341,028 | $377,583 | $410,714 | $483,273 |
| 56 | Baltimore, Maryland | $370,000 | $150,966 | $153,261 | $212,734 | $276,037 | $342,881 | $379,635 | $412,946 | $485,900 |
| 57 | Tampa, Florida | $372,500 | $151,986 | $154,297 | $214,171 | $277,902 | $345,198 | $382,201 | $415,737 | $489,183 |
| 58 | Hartford, Connecticut | $375,000 | $153,006 | $155,332 | $215,609 | $279,767 | $347,515 | $384,766 | $418,527 | $492,466 |
| 59 | Richmond, Virginia | $375,000 | $153,006 | $155,332 | $215,609 | $279,767 | $347,515 | $384,766 | $418,527 | $492,466 |
| 60 | Atlanta, Georgia | $380,000 | $155,046 | $157,403 | $218,483 | $283,498 | $352,148 | $389,896 | $424,107 | $499,032 |
| 61 | Dallas, Texas | $381,595 | $155,697 | $158,064 | $219,400 | $284,688 | $353,626 | $391,532 | $425,887 | $501,127 |
| 62 | Charlotte, North Carolina | $385,000 | $157,086 | $159,475 | $221,358 | $287,228 | $356,782 | $395,026 | $429,687 | $505,598 |
| 63 | Spokane, Washington | $391,500 | $159,738 | $162,167 | $225,095 | $292,077 | $362,805 | $401,695 | $436,942 | $514,134 |
| 64 | New Haven, Connecticut | $392,500 | $160,146 | $162,581 | $225,670 | $292,823 | $363,732 | $402,721 | $438,058 | $515,447 |
| 65 | Durham, North Carolina | $397,500 | $162,186 | $164,652 | $228,545 | $296,553 | $368,365 | $407,852 | $443,638 | $522,014 |
| 66 | Orlando, Florida | $405,000 | $165,246 | $167,759 | $232,857 | $302,149 | $375,316 | $415,547 | $452,009 | $531,863 |
| 67 | Fresno, California | $408,300 | $166,593 | $169,126 | $234,755 | $304,611 | $378,374 | $418,933 | $455,692 | $536,197 |
| 68 | Raleigh, North Carolina | $415,000 | $169,326 | $171,901 | $238,607 | $309,609 | $384,583 | $425,807 | $463,170 | $544,995 |
| 69 | Cape Coral, Florida | $425,000 | $173,407 | $176,043 | $244,356 | $317,070 | $393,850 | $436,068 | $474,330 | $558,128 |
| 70 | Charleston, South Carolina | $427,000 | $174,223 | $176,872 | $245,506 | $318,562 | $395,703 | $438,120 | $476,562 | $560,754 |
| 71 | Nashville, Tennessee | $429,900 | $175,406 | $178,073 | $247,174 | $320,725 | $398,391 | $441,095 | $479,799 | $564,563 |
| 72 | Madison, Wisconsin | $435,000 | $177,487 | $180,186 | $250,106 | $324,530 | $403,117 | $446,328 | $485,491 | $571,260 |
| 73 | North Port, Florida | $435,000 | $177,487 | $180,186 | $250,106 | $324,530 | $403,117 | $446,328 | $485,491 | $571,260 |
| 74 | Worcester, Massachusetts | $442,000 | $180,343 | $183,085 | $254,131 | $329,752 | $409,604 | $453,510 | $493,303 | $580,453 |
| 75 | Las Vegas, Nevada | $445,000 | $181,567 | $184,328 | $255,855 | $331,991 | $412,384 | $456,589 | $496,652 | $584,393 |
| 76 | Colorado Springs, Colorado | $449,900 | $183,566 | $186,357 | $258,673 | $335,646 | $416,925 | $461,616 | $502,120 | $590,828 |
| 77 | Austin, Texas | $450,000 | $183,607 | $186,399 | $258,730 | $335,721 | $417,017 | $461,719 | $502,232 | $590,959 |
| 78 | Phoenix, Arizona | $460,131 | $187,741 | $190,595 | $264,555 | $343,279 | $426,406 | $472,114 | $513,539 | $604,263 |
| 79 | Boise City, Idaho | $465,000 | $189,727 | $192,612 | $267,355 | $346,912 | $430,918 | $477,109 | $518,973 | $610,658 |
| 80 | Ogden, Utah | $480,668 | $196,120 | $199,102 | $276,363 | $358,601 | $445,438 | $493,185 | $536,460 | $631,233 |
| 81 | Stockton, California | $492,000 | $200,744 | $203,796 | $282,878 | $367,055 | $455,939 | $504,813 | $549,107 | $646,115 |
| 82 | Portland, Maine | $495,000 | $201,968 | $205,039 | $284,603 | $369,293 | $458,719 | $507,891 | $552,455 | $650,055 |
| 83 | Salt Lake City, Utah | $535,000 | $218,288 | $221,607 | $307,601 | $399,135 | $495,787 | $548,932 | $597,098 | $702,584 |
| 84 | Portland, Oregon | $540,000 | $220,328 | $223,679 | $310,476 | $402,865 | $500,421 | $554,063 | $602,678 | $709,151 |
| 85 | Reno, Nevada | $565,000 | $230,529 | $234,034 | $324,850 | $421,516 | $523,589 | $579,714 | $630,580 | $741,982 |
| 86 | Sacramento, California | $570,000 | $232,569 | $236,105 | $327,725 | $425,246 | $528,222 | $584,844 | $636,161 | $748,548 |
| 87 | Miami, Florida | $580,000 | $236,649 | $240,247 | $333,475 | $432,707 | $537,489 | $595,104 | $647,321 | $761,680 |
| 88 | Riverside, California | $580,000 | $236,649 | $240,247 | $333,475 | $432,707 | $537,489 | $595,104 | $647,321 | $761,680 |
| 89 | Washington, D.C. | $596,908 | $243,548 | $247,251 | $343,196 | $445,321 | $553,158 | $612,453 | $666,192 | $783,885 |
| 90 | Denver, Colorado | $599,000 | $244,401 | $248,118 | $344,399 | $446,882 | $555,097 | $614,599 | $668,527 | $786,632 |
| 91 | Boston, Massachusetts | $665,000 | $271,330 | $275,456 | $382,346 | $496,121 | $616,259 | $682,318 | $742,187 | $873,306 |
| 92 | New York, New York | $685,000 | $279,491 | $283,740 | $393,845 | $511,042 | $634,793 | $702,839 | $764,509 | $899,571 |
| 93 | Seattle, Washington | $730,000 | $297,851 | $302,380 | $419,718 | $544,614 | $676,495 | $749,010 | $814,732 | $958,667 |
| 94 | Bridgeport, Connecticut | $775,000 | $316,212 | $321,020 | $445,591 | $578,186 | $718,197 | $795,182 | $864,955 | $1,017,763 |
| 95 | Oxnard, California | $917,750 | $374,456 | $380,150 | $527,666 | $684,684 | $850,484 | $941,650 | $1,024,274 | $1,205,228 |
| 96 | San Diego, California | $967,500 | $394,755 | $400,757 | $556,270 | $721,800 | $896,588 | $992,695 | $1,079,799 | $1,270,562 |
| 97 | Honolulu, Hawaii | $1,015,400 | $414,299 | $420,599 | $583,810 | $757,535 | $940,977 | $1,041,843 | $1,133,259 | $1,333,466 |
| 98 | Los Angeles, California | $1,050,000 | $428,416 | $434,931 | $603,704 | $783,349 | $973,041 | $1,077,344 | $1,171,875 | $1,378,904 |
| 99 | San Francisco, California | $1,200,000 | $489,619 | $497,064 | $689,947 | $895,256 | $1,112,047 | $1,231,250 | $1,339,285 | $1,575,890 |
| 100 | San Jose, California | $1,675,000 | $683,426 | $693,818 | $963,051 | $1,249,628 | $1,552,232 | $1,718,620 | $1,869,419 | $2,199,680 |
🔍 Find Your City's Numbers
Type your metro below to see what mortgage interest and monthly payments look like in your city at every rate, side by side.
True Cost of a Mortgage Calculator
Use the calculator below to see what you'd pay in mortgage interest based on the home price and interest rate.
The defaults match the national median figures: $403,200 home price, 6.53% mortgage rate, 20% down, 30-year fixed rate. Change any input to see how the numbers shift, or pick your metro from the searchable city box to auto-fill its median home price.
The same loan at three rates
🏠 National Overview
- A buyer financing the median U.S. home ($403,200) at today's 6.53% rate will pay $413,700 in lifetime mortgage interest, or 102.6% of the home's purchase price, $10,500 more than the home itself costs. The week of May 21, 2026, marked the first time since September 2025 that lifetime mortgage interest crossed 100% of the home's price.
- Including the down payment, the total out-of-pocket cost of buying the median U.S. home is $816,900, about 2x the sticker price. Of that, $736,260 (about 1.8x the price) goes to the lender as principal and interest.
- The monthly payment on the median U.S. home at today's rate is $2,045, assuming a 20% down payment and a 30-year fixed loan.
📊 Today's Rate vs. 2021's Rate
- A buyer at today's 6.53% rate pays $249,188 more in lifetime mortgage interest than if 2021's 2.96% average rate applied to today's median home.
- The monthly payment is $692 higher at today's rate than 2021's ($2,045 vs. $1,353), or $8,306 more per year.
- If 2021's 2.96% rate applied to today's median home, lifetime mortgage interest would be $164,512, or 40.8% of the home's price. At today's rate, it is $413,700, or 102.6%.
💰 The Math
- If today's 6.53% rate climbed 1 point to 7.53%, the median U.S. home buyer would pay $78,066 more in lifetime mortgage interest.
- Across the 3% to 8% rate spectrum, each percentage point of rate change is worth between $65,000 and $80,000 in lifetime interest on the median U.S. home.
- A 15-year mortgage at today's 5.87% rate saves $250,378 in lifetime interest compared with a 30-year mortgage at 6.53%, on the median U.S. home with 20% down. The monthly payment is $654 higher ($2,699 vs. $2,045).
🔴 10 Most Expensive Metros for Mortgage Interest
- A San Jose, California, home buyer at today's 6.53% rate will pay $1.72 million in lifetime mortgage interest, the highest of any major metro studied and more than the median home price in any other metro.
- Today's San Jose buyers will pay $1,035,194 more in interest than 2021 buyers would have, more than the median home price in 97 of the 100 metros studied.
- California claims five of the six most expensive metros for mortgage interest at today's rate:
- San Jose, California ($1,718,620)
- San Francisco, California ($1,231,250)
- Los Angeles, California ($1,077,344)
- Honolulu, Hawaii ($1,041,843)
- San Diego, California ($992,695)
- Oxnard, California ($941,650)
- Bridgeport, Connecticut ($795,182)
- Seattle, Washington ($749,010)
- New York, New York ($702,839)
- Boston, Massachusetts ($682,318)
🟢 10 Most Affordable Metros for Mortgage Interest
- A Toledo, Ohio, home buyer at today's 6.53% rate will pay $163,654 in lifetime mortgage interest, the lowest of any major U.S. metro studied.
- The lifetime-interest gap between San Jose and Toledo is $1.55 million on the same 30-year, 20%-down loan terms.
- Ohio claims four of the 10 most affordable metros for mortgage interest:
- Toledo, Ohio ($163,654)
- Akron, Ohio ($184,688)
- Scranton, Pennsylvania ($207,517)
- Cleveland, Ohio ($220,496)
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ($220,599)
- Dayton, Ohio ($221,112)
- Syracuse, New York ($225,729)
- McAllen, Texas ($234,451)
- Little Rock, Arkansas ($235,990)
- Rochester, New York ($241,120)
About Best Interest
Mortgages are complicated. Choosing a lender shouldn't be. At Best Interest Financial, borrowers come first, with personalized guidance and tailored mortgage options. Since 2024, hundreds of families have trusted Best Interest Financial to achieve their dream of homeownership. Now an affiliate of Clever Real Estate, a free agent-matching service that's saved consumers $230 million on Realtor fees since 2017, Best Interest shares a mission to connect people with the best solutions for every step of their real estate journey.
Methodology
Best Interest Financial analyzed 100 of the most populous U.S. metropolitan areas to calculate lifetime mortgage interest under different rate scenarios. The national median home price ($403,200) comes from the Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States series (MSPUS). Metro-level median sale prices come from Zillow's Data Center, single-family residential, February 2026 (the most recent month available at the time of analysis). Metro selection is based on the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 1-Year population estimates.
Two metros from the ACS top 100 were excluded because their ACS metro definitions did not align with Zillow's regional definitions: Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY, and Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY. They were replaced with the next two metros on the ACS list: Portland-South Portland, ME, and Lancaster, PA.
Lifetime mortgage interest is calculated using the standard mortgage amortization formula for a 30-year fixed loan with a 20% down payment. The current 30-year mortgage rate of 6.53% and the 15-year mortgage rate of 5.87% are both sourced from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) for the week of May 28, 2026. Where the study compares 15-year and 30-year mortgages, each uses its own market rate to reflect what a buyer actually faces. The 2021 comparison rate of 2.96% is the average 30-year fixed rate reported by Freddie Mac PMMS for 2021 (the actual rate ranged from approximately 2.65% to 3.10% across the year). All 2021 comparison figures assume that rate applied to today's median home prices, isolating the rate change from price changes.
All calculations cover principal and mortgage interest only. They do not include property taxes, homeowners insurance, mortgage insurance (PMI), or HOA fees, which vary widely by metro and by individual home. The focus of this study is the cost of borrowing itself.
More Research From Best Interest Financial
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Read the study →How Long Does It Take to Sell a House?
See where homes are flying off the market and where they're sitting, plus what's driving the difference.
Read the study →Frequently Asked Questions
Mortgage interest is the cost of borrowing money to buy a home, charged as an annual percentage of the loan balance. On a fixed-rate 30-year mortgage, your monthly payment is split between interest and principal in changing proportions as the loan amortizes.
At today's 6.53% rate on the median U.S. home ($403,200), a buyer with 20% down will pay $413,700 in mortgage interest over 30 years, or 102.6% of the home's purchase price. The week of May 21, 2026, marked the first time since September 2025 that lifetime mortgage interest crossed 100% of the home's price.
On the median U.S. home with 20% down, lifetime mortgage interest at today's 6.53% rate is $413,700, which is $249,188 more than the $164,512 a buyer would have paid if 2021's 2.96% average rate applied to the same home. The monthly payment is also $692 higher: $2,045 vs. $1,353.
Lifetime mortgage interest at any given rate is a fixed percentage of the loan amount (about 102.6% of the home's price at 6.53% with 20% down), so pricier homes mean larger interest bills. A San Jose home buyer at today's rate pays $1.72 million in mortgage interest, compared with $163,654 for a Toledo buyer, a $1.55 million gap on the same 30-year, 20%-down loan terms.
A 15-year mortgage saves a lot of money in lifetime mortgage interest, but the monthly payment is higher. On the median U.S. home with 20% down, a 15-year mortgage at today's 5.87% rate saves about $250,378 in lifetime interest compared with a 30-year mortgage at 6.53%. The monthly payment is about $654 higher ($2,699 vs. $2,045). Whether the trade-off is worth it comes down to your monthly budget and how confident you are in your income for the next 15 years.