Compare home equity loan and HELOC rates, borrowing limits, and lenders for 2026 — turn your home's equity into cash.
See Best HELOC Lenders →The national average HELOC rate is 7.11% as of September 2026, ranging from roughly 3.99% to 11.60% depending on lender, credit profile, and combined loan-to-value ratio, according to Bankrate's lender survey. Most lenders allow borrowing up to 80% of your home's value minus what you still owe on your mortgage, with some going as high as 85-90% for well-qualified borrowers.
| Feature | HELOC | Home Equity Loan |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Revolving line of credit | Lump sum, fixed |
| Rate type | Usually variable | Usually fixed |
| Typical avg. rate | ~7.11% | Often 0.2-0.5pt higher than HELOC |
| Best for | Ongoing or uncertain expenses | One-time, known expenses |
Lenders calculate your maximum combined loan-to-value (CLTV) — usually 80-90% of your home's appraised value — then subtract your existing mortgage balance to determine available equity. A home worth $450,000 with a $250,000 mortgage balance and an 85% CLTV limit could support roughly $132,500 in additional borrowing.
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