For a comparison of all major mortgage types — conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, ARM, and jumbo — see the Mortgage Loan Types hub .
Current VA loan rates and how VA mortgages compare to other loan options for eligible veterans and service members.
Table of Contents
Current VA Loan Rates
Rates as of March 2026. Updated daily.
Loan Type
Rate
APR
Points
30-Year VA Fixed
6.125%
6.32%
0.0
15-Year VA Fixed
5.500%
5.72%
0.0
VA 5/1 ARM
5.250%
6.15%
0.0
APR includes VA funding fee
VA vs Conventional vs FHA Comparison
Feature
VA Loan
Conventional
FHA
Rate
6.125%
6.875%
6.375%
Down Payment
0%
3-20%
3.5%
Monthly Insurance
$0
PMI until 20% equity
MIP for life
Upfront Fee
2.15%*
None
1.75%
Min Credit Score
No VA min (lenders: ~620)
620
580
APR (effective)
6.32%
6.95%
7.05%
*Funding fee for first-time use with no down payment; waived for disabled veterans
VA Loan Rate Advantages
Benefit
Savings vs Conventional
Lower rate (0.5-0.75%)
$50-$100/month
No PMI
$100-$300/month
No down payment
Preserves savings
No prepayment penalty
Refinance anytime
Total monthly savings $150-$400
Payment Comparison: $400,000 Home
VA Loan (0% down)
Component
Amount
Down payment
$0
Loan amount
$400,000
VA funding fee (financed)
$8,600
Total loan
$408,600
Rate
6.125%
Monthly P&I
$2,485
Monthly MI
$0
Total P&I $2,485
Conventional (5% down, 720 credit)
Component
Amount
Down payment
$20,000
Loan amount
$380,000
Rate
6.75%
Monthly P&I
$2,465
Monthly PMI
$190
Total P&I+PMI $2,655
VA Advantage: Save $170/month with $0 down vs $20,000 down
VA Funding Fee
Down Payment
First Use
Subsequent Use
0%
2.15%
3.30%
5-9.99%
1.50%
1.50%
10%+
1.25%
1.25%
Funding Fee Exemptions
Category
Funding Fee
Disability rating 10%+
Waived
Purple Heart recipient
Waived
Surviving spouse
Waived
National Guard/Reserve
Same as active*
*After 90 days Title 10 activation
Funding Fee Examples
Loan Amount
Down %
Fee %
Fee Amount
$300,000
0%
2.15%
$6,450
$400,000
0%
2.15%
$8,600
$500,000
0%
2.15%
$10,750
$400,000
5%
1.50%
$5,700
$400,000
10%
1.25%
$4,500
VA Loan Rates by Credit Score
Credit Score
Typical VA Rate
vs. Conventional
760+
5.875%
0.50% lower
720-759
6.125%
0.50% lower
680-719
6.375%
0.50% lower
640-679
6.625%
0.50% lower
620-639
6.875%
0.50% lower
Below 620
Case-by-case
May still qualify
VA Loan Limits
Since 2020, VA loans have no loan limit for borrowers with full entitlement.
With Reduced Entitlement
If you have a prior VA loan still open:
County Type
Max Guarantee
Standard counties
$766,550
High-cost counties
Up to $1,149,825
VA Loan Eligibility
Service Category
Requirement
Active Duty
90+ continuous days
Wartime Veterans
90+ days active
Peacetime Veterans
181+ days active
National Guard
6+ years OR 90 days Title 10
Reserves
6+ years OR 90 days Title 10
Surviving Spouses
Unremarried, service-related death
VA IRRRL (Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan)
Already have a VA loan? Refinance easily:
Feature
Details
Current rate
6.00%
Requirements
Must lower rate OR shorten term
Appraisal
Not required
Income verification
Not required
Credit check
Usually minimal
Funding fee
0.5%
Time to close
2-3 weeks
VA Cash-Out Refinance Rates
Loan Type
Rate
Max LTV
30-Year Cash-Out
6.50%
100%
15-Year Cash-Out
6.00%
100%
VA is one of the only programs allowing 100% cash-out
Monthly Payment Examples
0% down, 6.125% rate, funding fee financed:
Home Price
Loan + Fee
Monthly P&I
$250,000
$255,375
$1,553
$300,000
$306,450
$1,864
$350,000
$357,525
$2,174
$400,000
$408,600
$2,485
$500,000
$510,750
$3,106
$600,000
$612,900
$3,727
VA Loan Rate History
Period
30-Year VA Rate
March 2026
6.125%
2025 Average
6.28%
2024 Average
6.15%
2023 Average
6.08%
2022 Average
4.65%
2021 Average
2.65%
How to Get the Best VA Rate
Strategy
Impact
Shop 3-5 VA lenders
Rates vary 0.25-0.50%
Check VA-specialized lenders
Often best rates
Consider small down payment
Lower funding fee
Improve credit score
Lower rate
Compare on same day
Rates change daily
Top VA Lender Types
Lender Type
Pros
Cons
VA-focused lenders
Best service, competitive rates
May be smaller
Credit unions
Low rates, low fees
Membership required
Big banks
Convenience
Often higher rates
Online lenders
Quick, competitive
Less personal
VA Loan Benefits Summary
Benefit
Value
No down payment
Save $20K-$100K+
No monthly MI
Save $100-$300/month
Lower rates
Save $50-$100/month
Lenient credit
Qualify with 620+
No prepayment penalty
Refinance freely
Assumable
Pass to future buyer
Foreclosure assistance
VA helps if struggling
Related: VA Loan Guide | 30-Year Mortgage Rates | Mortgage Calculator
Written by
WealthVieu
WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.
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