Loan comparison data
Rate benchmarks and term comparisons reference Federal Reserve, lender surveys, and credit bureau data.
Updated monthly with latest rate data.
Compare every major loan in one dashboard
Use our research benchmarks to evaluate mortgage, auto, student, and personal loans. Then hand your choice to the calculators for payoff math.
Mortgage loans
6.5%–8.0% typical
Auto loans
4.0%–15% typical
Personal loans
6%–36% typical
Student loans
5.5%–11% typical
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Data backing rate comparisons and cost calculations.
Loan comparison data sources
Freddie Mac PMMS
Weekly mortgage rate survey
View sourcesFRED Economic Data
Federal Reserve Economic Data
View sourcesDepartment of Education Student Loan Data
Federal student loan rates and program information
View sourcesUpdated monthly.
Quick comparison table
| Loan type | Rate range | Typical term | Max amount | Min credit score | Collateral |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mortgage Loans Home purchase or refinance | 6.5% - 8.0% | 15-30 years | $750,000+ | 580+ | |
Auto Loans Vehicle purchase | 4.0% - 15.0% | 3-7 years | $100,000+ | 500+ | |
Student Loans Education expenses | 5.5% - 11.0% | 10-25 years | Cost of attendance | None (federal) | |
Personal Loans Any personal use | 6.0% - 36.0% | 2-7 years | $50,000 - $100,000 | 580+ |
Detailed Loan Type Analysis
Mortgage loans
Purchase or refinance property
Interest Rate
6.5% - 8.0%
Term Length
15-30 years
Max Amount
$750,000+
Min Credit
580+
Advantages
- Lowest interest rates available
- Long repayment terms (15-30 years)
- Tax-deductible interest payments
- Builds home equity and wealth
- Multiple government programs (FHA, VA, USDA)
- Fixed-rate options for payment stability
Disadvantages
- Requires significant down payment
- Property serves as collateral
- Lengthy approval process
- Closing costs (2-5% of loan amount)
- Property taxes and insurance required
- Market risk if home values decline
Best For
- Purchasing a primary residence
- Investment property acquisition
- Refinancing existing mortgage
- Home equity access (cash-out refi)
- Long-term wealth building
- Tax advantage seekers
Auto loans
Finance new or used vehicles
Interest Rate
4.0% - 15.0%
Term Length
3-7 years
Max Amount
$100,000+
Min Credit
500+
Advantages
- Competitive interest rates (secured by vehicle)
- No down payment required (some lenders)
- Fast approval and funding
- New car incentives (0% APR offers)
- Builds credit with on-time payments
- Vehicle retains some value as collateral
Disadvantages
- Vehicle depreciates rapidly (20% first year)
- Gap between loan balance and car value
- Full insurance coverage required
- Mileage restrictions on some loans
- Early payoff may not save much interest
- Repossession risk if payments missed
Best For
- Purchasing new or used vehicles
- Replacing unreliable transportation
- Building credit history
- Taking advantage of manufacturer incentives
- Preserving cash for other investments
- Business vehicle needs
Student loans
Fund education and training
Interest Rate
5.5% - 11.0%
Term Length
10-25 years
Max Amount
Cost of attendance
Min Credit
None (federal)
Advantages
- No collateral required for federal loans
- Deferred payments while in school
- Income-driven repayment options
- Loan forgiveness programs available
- Interest may be tax-deductible
- Lower rates than unsecured loans
Disadvantages
- Cannot be discharged in bankruptcy
- Interest accrues during school (unsubsidized)
- Complex repayment options
- Potential for negative amortization
- Long-term financial burden
- Limited consumer protections (private loans)
Best For
- Funding undergraduate education
- Graduate and professional school
- Career advancement training
- Professional certification programs
- Public service career paths (PSLF eligible)
- Low-income students (Pell Grant eligible)
Personal loans
Flexible funding for any goal
Interest Rate
6.0% - 36.0%
Term Length
2-7 years
Max Amount
$50,000 - $100,000
Min Credit
580+
Advantages
- No collateral required
- Fast approval and funding (1-7 days)
- Fixed interest rates and payments
- No restrictions on fund usage
- Predictable repayment schedule
- Can improve credit mix
Disadvantages
- Higher rates than secured loans
- Shorter repayment terms
- Origination fees (0-8% of loan)
- Credit score heavily impacts rates
- No tax benefits
- Penalties for early repayment (some lenders)
Best For
- Debt consolidation at lower rates
- Home improvement projects
- Medical expenses
- Wedding or major life events
- Emergency financial needs
- Small business startup costs
Real-World Loan Scenarios
Home Improvement Project ($25,000)
Home Equity Loan
Interest Rate:7.5%
Term:10 years
Monthly Payment:$295
Total Cost:$35,412
Pros:
- Tax deductible
- Lower rate
Cons:
- Uses home as collateral
Personal Loan
Interest Rate:12.0%
Term:5 years
Monthly Payment:$556
Total Cost:$33,360
Pros:
- No collateral
- Fast funding
Cons:
- Higher rate
- Shorter term
Credit Card
Interest Rate:22.0%
Term:5 years
Monthly Payment:$696
Total Cost:$41,760
Pros:
- Immediate access
Cons:
- Highest rate
- Variable rate
Expert Recommendation
Home Equity Loan offers the best combination of low rates and tax benefits for large home improvements.
Debt Consolidation ($15,000)
Personal Loan
Interest Rate:11.0%
Term:4 years
Monthly Payment:$389
Total Cost:$18,672
Pros:
- Fixed rate
- Single payment
Cons:
- Origination fee possible
Balance Transfer Card
Interest Rate:0%/21%
Term:18 months
Monthly Payment:$833
Total Cost:$15,000
Pros:
- 0% intro APR
Cons:
- High rate after intro
Home Equity Line
Interest Rate:8.5%
Term:10 years
Monthly Payment:$186
Total Cost:$22,320
Pros:
- Low rate
- Tax deductible
Cons:
- Home at risk
Expert Recommendation
Balance Transfer Card with 0% intro APR is best if you can pay off within the promotional period.
Vehicle Purchase ($35,000)
Auto Loan (New)
Interest Rate:6.5%
Term:5 years
Monthly Payment:$684
Total Cost:$41,040
Pros:
- Competitive rate
- Manufacturer incentives
Cons:
- Depreciation risk
Auto Loan (Used)
Interest Rate:8.5%
Term:4 years
Monthly Payment:$862
Total Cost:$41,376
Pros:
- Lower purchase price
Cons:
- Higher rate
- Less warranty
Personal Loan
Interest Rate:13.0%
Term:5 years
Monthly Payment:$793
Total Cost:$47,580
Pros:
- Own car outright
- No restrictions
Cons:
- Much higher rate
Expert Recommendation
New car auto loan provides the best rate and terms, especially with manufacturer incentives.
Loan Comparison FAQ
What type of loan has the lowest interest rate?
Mortgage loans typically have the lowest interest rates (6.5-8.0%) because they are secured by real estate. Auto loans are next lowest (4-15%) as they are secured by the vehicle. Personal loans have higher rates (6-36%) as they are unsecured, while student loan rates vary (5.5-11.0%) depending on federal vs private and borrower qualifications.
Should I use a personal loan to buy a car?
Generally no. Auto loans offer much lower interest rates (4-15%) compared to personal loans (6-36%) because the vehicle serves as collateral. Auto loans also have longer terms (3-7 years), resulting in lower monthly payments. Personal loans might only make sense if you're buying a very old vehicle that doesn't qualify for auto financing.
Can I use a personal loan to pay off student loans?
While possible, it's usually not recommended. Student loans offer unique benefits like income-driven repayment plans, deferment options, and forgiveness programs that you'd lose with a personal loan. Personal loans also typically have higher interest rates and shorter terms. Only consider this if you have excellent credit and can get a significantly lower rate.
Which loan is best for home improvements?
For large projects ($25,000+), home equity loans or HELOCs are usually best due to lower rates (7-9%) and tax deductibility. For smaller projects under $15,000, a personal loan might be more convenient despite higher rates, as it avoids using your home as collateral and has faster approval times.
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Important Loan Comparison Disclaimer
Rates are examples and vary with market conditions.
All loan decisions should be carefully reviewed.
This tool does not constitute financial advice.