Introduction
On September 18, 2026, mortgage rates remain a mixed bag with small but meaningful shifts shaping borrowing decisions. While the national averages from Zillow and FRED show modest increases in 15- and 30-year fixed rates, some credit unions hold steady. If you’re looking for the lowest borrowing cost today, Knoxville TVA Employees’ 15-year fixed refinance at 5.25% stands out as the best deal, offering stability without points. Meanwhile, jumbo loans inch higher, reflecting broader economic signals like easing inflation expectations from the Federal Reserve. Here’s what you need to know before locking in a rate, whether buying, refinancing, or investing.
At a glance
Refinance - Conventional 15 yrs Fixed
| Lender | 2026-09-18 Current | 2026-09-11 7 Days Ago | 2026-09-03 15 Days Ago | 2026-08-19 30 Days Ago | 2026-08-04 45 Days Ago | 2026-07-20 60 Days Ago | 2026-06-20 90 Days Ago | 2026-03-22 180 Days Ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KNOXVILLE TVA EMPLOYEES CREDIT UNIONLOWEST | 5.25% | 5.25% | 5.25% | 5.25% | 5.25% | 5.25% | 5.25% | N/A |
| 1ST ADVANTAGE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION | 5.75% | 5.75% | 5.75% | 5.75% | 5.75% | 5.63% | 5.63% | 5.25% |
| LAUNCH CREDIT UNION | 5.75% | 5.75% | 5.75% | 5.75% | 5.75% | 5.50% | 5.50% | N/A |
| FIRST COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION | 5.88%▲ 38 bps | 5.50% | 5.50% | 5.50% | 5.50% | 5.38% | 5.38% | 5.13% |
| SPACE COAST CREDIT UNION | 5.88%▲ 13 bps | 5.75% | 5.75% | 5.63% | 5.63% | 5.50% | 5.50% | 5.50% |
| CONNECTICUT STATE EMPLOYEES CREDIT UNION | 6.38%▲ 25 bps | 6.13% | 6.00% | 5.40% | 5.88% | 6.00% | 6.00% | 5.40% |
| AFFINITY PLUS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION | 6.50%▲ 13 bps | 6.38% | 6.13% | 6.13% | 6.13% | 6.00% | 5.88% | 5.63% |
Sorted by current rate, lowest first. Scroll sideways for rate history. ▼ means the current rate is lower than last week, ▲ higher.
Refinance - Conventional 30 yrs Fixed
| Lender | 2026-09-18 Current | 2026-09-11 7 Days Ago | 2026-09-03 15 Days Ago | 2026-08-19 30 Days Ago | 2026-08-04 45 Days Ago | 2026-07-20 60 Days Ago | 2026-06-20 90 Days Ago | 2026-03-22 180 Days Ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KNOXVILLE TVA EMPLOYEES CREDIT UNIONLOWEST | 5.50% | 5.50% | 5.50% | 5.50% | 5.50% | 5.50% | 5.50% | N/A |
| 1ST ADVANTAGE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION | 5.99% | 5.99% | 5.99% | 5.99% | 5.99% | 5.88% | 5.88% | 5.75% |
| LAUNCH CREDIT UNION | 6.25% | 6.25% | 6.25% | 6.25% | 6.25% | 6.00% | 6.00% | N/A |
| SPACE COAST CREDIT UNION | 6.63%▲ 13 bps | 6.50% | 6.50% | 6.38% | 6.38% | 6.25% | 6.25% | 6.25% |
| FIRST COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION | 6.75%▲ 38 bps | 6.38% | 6.38% | 6.38% | 6.38% | 6.13% | 6.25% | 5.88% |
| CONNECTICUT STATE EMPLOYEES CREDIT UNION | 6.88%▲ 13 bps | 6.75% | 6.63% | N/A | 6.50% | 6.50% | 6.38% | N/A |
| AFFINITY PLUS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION | 7.00%▲ 13 bps | 6.88% | 6.75% | 6.75% | 6.75% | 6.50% | 6.38% | 6.00% |
Sorted by current rate, lowest first. Scroll sideways for rate history. ▼ means the current rate is lower than last week, ▲ higher.
1ST ADVANTAGE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
As of September 18, 2026, 1ST ADVANTAGE reports stable mortgage rates for refinance options. The 15-Year Fixed Refinance remains at 5.75%, unchanged over the past 7 and 30 days. Similarly, the 30-Year Fixed Refinance holds steady at 5.99%, reflecting no change in yield spreads this month. These consistent rates indicate no recent shifts in borrowing costs, which benefits members seeking predictable payment structures. For homeowners evaluating refinancing, maintaining current fixed rates supports long-term financial planning without increased interest risk. Members prioritizing rate certainty should consider these fixed-rate refinance options to stabilize their mortgage obligations. Assess your individual loan terms and potential savings before proceeding; consider refinancing if projected interest savings outweigh associated costs. For details, visit https://www.1stadvantage.org/personal/home-loans-equity/refinance-home-loan/#rates.
AFFINITY PLUS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
As of September 18, 2026, the 15-Year Fixed-Rate Conventional Refinance stands at 6.5%, up by 12.5 basis points from last week and 37.5 basis points over the past month. Meanwhile, the 30-Year Fixed-Rate Conventional Refinance is priced at 7.0%, reflecting a similar weekly increase of 12.5 basis points and a monthly rise of 25 basis points. These upward shifts indicate higher borrowing costs for members refinancing their mortgages, potentially impacting monthly payments and long-term interest expenses. Members prioritizing payment stability might consider locking in current fixed rates to mitigate further yield spread increases. Evaluating refinancing options remains prudent, especially if projected savings exceed associated costs given recent rate movements. For details, visit https://www.affinityplus.org/rates/mortgage-rates.
CONNECTICUT STATE EMPLOYEES CREDIT UNION
As of September 18, 2026, mortgage rates for refinance fixed-rate loans show notable upward movement. The 15-year fixed refinance rate has increased by 25 basis points over the past week to 6.375%, reflecting a rise of 97.5 basis points compared to 30 days ago. This sharp yield spread expansion raises the cost of borrowing for those seeking shorter-term refinancing options. Meanwhile, the 30-year fixed refinance rate rose modestly by 12.5 basis points week-over-week to 6.875%.For members prioritizing predictable payments, the higher fixed rates suggest evaluating long-term affordability carefully. Borrowers with existing loans might consider whether refinancing benefits outweigh these rising costs, especially given the significant recent increase in 15-year rates. A data-driven approach recommends considering fixed-rate options if payment stability is a priority or exploring refinancing only when potential savings exceed associated fees.For details, visit https://www.csecreditunion.com/Rates/Loan-Rates#firstmortgage.
FIRST COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION
As of September 18, 2026, 15-Year Fixed Refinance rates have risen to 5.875%, marking a 37.5 basis points increase compared to one week ago and the same increase over the past 30 days. Similarly, 30-Year Fixed Refinance rates stand at 6.75%, also up by 37.5 basis points from both one week and one month prior. These upward shifts in yield spreads indicate a higher cost of borrowing for refinancing. Members considering shorter-term loans may find the 15-Year Fixed option at 5.875% more cost-effective in interest expense over time, while those needing longer terms face increased monthly payments due to the 6.75% rate on 30-Year Fixed loans. Evaluating your mortgage strategy with these rate changes is essential; consider fixed-rate options if stability is a priority, or analyze refinancing only when projected savings exceed associated costs. For details, visit https://fccu.org/loans/home-loans/mortgage-refinances.
KNOXVILLE TVA EMPLOYEES CREDIT UNION
As of September 18, 2026, mortgage rates for refinancing remain steady at 5.25% for the 15-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage and 5.50% for the 30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage, with no change over the past week or month. The stable yield spreads indicate consistent borrowing costs for members seeking to refinance. For borrowers prioritizing lower interest expenses and quicker payoff, the 15-year fixed option at 5.25% represents the lowest rate available today. Conversely, those valuing longer-term payment stability may consider the 30-year fixed at 5.50%, which also held firm. Given these unchanged rates, members should evaluate their current mortgage terms against these options to determine if refinancing could reduce overall interest outlay or improve cash flow predictability. Consider fixed-rate mortgages if you prefer rate certainty over the loan term.For details, visit https://www.tvacreditunion.com/borrow/loans/home-refinance.html.
LAUNCH CREDIT UNION
As of September 18, 2026, 15-Year Fixed Refinance and 30-Year Fixed Refinance mortgage rates remain stable at 5.75% and 6.25%, respectively. There has been no change in yield spreads over the past 7 and 30 days, indicating steady borrowing costs for these loan categories. The 15-Year Fixed option continues to offer the lowest rate among current refinance products, which may benefit members seeking accelerated payoff schedules with predictable payments. For borrowers evaluating long-term financing, maintaining awareness of fixed-rate stability can assist in managing interest rate risk amid market fluctuations. Members considering refinancing should assess if potential savings justify transaction costs given the current flat rate environment. For details, visit https://www.launchcu.com/rates/#panel1_8.
SPACE COAST CREDIT UNION
As of September 18, 2026, 15-year fixed refinance loans hold the lowest rate at 5.875%, increasing by 12.5 basis points from one week ago and up 25 basis points over the past month. Similarly, the 30-year fixed refinance rate rose by 12.5 basis points week-over-week to 6.625%, marking a 25 basis point increase in 30 days. These upward shifts in yield spreads suggest a modest rise in the cost of borrowing for refinancers. Members considering refinancing should evaluate whether locking in a 15-year fixed term aligns with their long-term financial strategy, especially if they prioritize rate stability and quicker equity buildup. Conversely, those weighing a longer-term commitment might assess how recent increases impact overall interest expenses. For details, visit https://www.sccu.com/personal/mortgage-purchase-products/mortgage-refinance.
Zillow National Average
As of September 18, 2026, mortgage rates are mixed. The 15-Year Fixed Rate Jumbo has increased to 6.875%, up 21 basis points from yesterday and 42 basis points over the past week. In contrast, the 30-Year Fixed Rate Jumbo decreased slightly to 6.855%, down 7 basis points from one day ago but up 45 basis points in the last month. Borrowers should note that while short-term borrowing costs for the 15-Year Jumbo are rising, the longer-term rates for the 30-Year Jumbo remain relatively stable. This may influence decisions on refinancing or purchasing homes in the current market environment.
Federal Reserve Economic Trends
Recent data indicates that breakeven inflation rates for both 10-year and 5-year periods remain stable, with the 10-year rate at 2.330 and the 5-year rate at 2.320. These inflation expectations are crucial as they influence mortgage rates, which have shown significant movements recently. The 30-Year Jumbo Average Rates have increased by 0.21 points over the past week, reaching 7.124, marking the largest change in this category within that timeframe. Additionally, a notable rise of 0.48 points over the last 30 days highlights increasing borrowing costs, impacting affordability for potential homeowners. The lowest mortgage rate observed is the 15-Year Average Rate at 6.260; borrowers should consider these trends when evaluating their financing options.
LendMesh
A mortgage should open doors, not close them. That’s why LendMesh was created—to make the home financing process straightforward, supportive, and free from unnecessary stress. We’ve listened to stories from first-time buyers, seasoned investors, and growing families, and we’ve woven those experiences into every tool and feature on our site. Here, you can compare rates from banks you know and credit unions you might not have discovered yet—all in a single, transparent view. Our resources are written by real financial advisors who care about your future. Curious to learn more? Dive into our Mortgage Loans page: https://www.lendmesh.com/loans/mortgage_loans and find out how easy homeownership can really be.
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Conclusion
As rates inch upward by a few basis points across many products, it’s important to weigh how even small increases can affect your monthly payments and total interest over time. For homeowners considering refinancing, locking in a 15-year fixed rate near 5.25% or below could save thousands long-term despite recent slight upticks elsewhere. Buyers should factor in rising jumbo loan costs and plan accordingly if shopping outside conventional limits. Keeping an eye on inflation trends suggests markets may stabilize soon but not without fluctuations. Your best move now is to get personalized quotes from trusted lenders like credit unions offering competitive fixed-rate options and consider shorter terms if you want to reduce overall interest paid while maintaining manageable payments.