30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates: Conforming vs. Jumbo vs. FHA

As a lover of data I often find it useful to organize the information into easy to compare categories. By comparing historical and typical 30-year fixed mortgage rates across three common loan types we can learn a lot!

The Three Loan Types

- Conforming Loans (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac)

- Jumbo Loans (amounts above conforming limits)

- FHA Loans (government-insured, low down payment options)

Let's Compare Rates

■ Conforming Loan Rates

- Meets loan limits set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

- Typically best rates for well-qualified buyers

- Current loan limit (2025): ~$766,550 (higher in LA/NY/SF)

2000–2007: 5.8% – 7.0%

2008–2012: 3.5% – 5.0%

2013–2019: 3.6% – 4.8%

2020–2021: 2.7% – 3.1%

2022–2023: 5.3% – 7.9%

2024–2025: 6.4% – 6.8%

■ Jumbo Loan Rates

- Exceeds conforming loan limits

- Stricter underwriting: higher credit, reserves, larger down payment

- Slightly higher rates than conforming, especially during volatility

2000–2007: 6.0% – 7.5%

2008–2012: 4.0% – 5.5%

2013–2019: 3.9% – 5.0%

2020–2021: 2.9% – 3.4%

2022–2023: 5.6% – 8.2%

2024–2025: 6.6% – 7.0%

■ FHA Loan Rates

- Government-insured loans with low down payments

- Often lower credit score required

- Mortgage insurance premium (MIP) applies for the life of the loan

2000–2007: 6.0% – 7.2%

2008–2012: 3.8% – 5.2%

2013–2019: 3.5% – 4.9%

2020–2021: 2.6% – 3.0%

2022–2023: 5.2% – 7.6%

2024–2025: 6.2% – 6.7%

Key Insights

Today’s mortgage rates (July 2025) — in the 6.5%–6.8% range for conforming loans — are historically normal.

Rates below 4% were tied to crisis-era Fed policies and are unlikely to return without major economic shocks.

Understanding the differences between conforming, jumbo, and FHA options helps buyers choose the best fit for their situation.