BusinessWhy a 7.5% US Mortgage Feels Costly Despite 1980s 18% Rates
On September 25, 2026, the average 30-year US mortgage rate was 7.49%, much lower than the 18.4% peak in the early 1980s. However, housing affordability today is worse because home prices have surged from about $69,000 in 1981 to over $410,000 in 2026. Buyers now borrow more against pricier homes, making a 7.5% mortgage still expensive despite lower rates.
HT World·4h ago



