Where do these numbers come from?
- Freddie MacPrimary Mortgage Market Survey: 30-yr fixed 7.32%, 15-yr 6.68%week of Oct 22, 2026
- U.S. Census BureauACS 5-year table B25103, property taxes paid by ZIP2020–2024 estimates
- U.S. Census BureauACS 5-year table B25077, median home value2020–2024 estimates
- CFPBWhen PMI must be removed (Homeowners Protection Act, 78% LTV)accessed Oct 23, 2026
- Insurance Information InstituteAverage homeowners (HO-3) premiumaccessed Oct 23, 2026
Checked Oct 23, 2026. $320,000 borrowed at 6.5% for 30 years: this calculator gives $2,022.62 a month in principal and interest, and =PMT(6.5%/12; 360; -320000) in LibreOffice Calc (the same PMT function as Excel and Google Sheets) returns 2,022.62. At this week's Freddie Mac average of 7.32% both give $2,198.18.
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$250,000 loan: monthly payment by rate
| Rate | 30-year | 15-year | Total interest (30y) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% | $1,342.05 | $1,976.98 | $233,139 |
| 5.5% | $1,419.47 | $2,042.71 | $261,010 |
| 6% | $1,498.88 | $2,109.64 | $289,595 |
| 6.5% | $1,580.17 | $2,177.77 | $318,861 |
| 7% | $1,663.26 | $2,247.07 | $348,772 |
| 7.5% | $1,748.04 | $2,317.53 | $379,293 |
| 8% | $1,834.41 | $2,389.13 | $410,388 |
Worked example
At 6.5% for 30 years, r = 6.5 ÷ 12 ÷ 100 = 0.0054167 and n = 360, so the payment is $1,580.17 a month and you would pay $318,861 in interest over the loan. A 15-year term raises the payment to $2,177.77 but cuts interest to $141,998, saving $176,863.
Buying a $250,000 house vs borrowing $250,000
If $250,000 is the price and you put 20% down, you borrow $200,000: $1,264.14 a month at 6.5% (30 years). Borrowing $250,000 with 20% down means a home price of about $312,500.
Under the traditional 28% guideline (housing cost ≤ 28% of gross income), a $1,580.17 principal-and-interest payment alone suggests a gross income of about $67,722 a year; taxes and insurance push that higher.
Rates in the tables are a range for comparison, not current market quotes. Payments are principal and interest only unless stated.
Related
Frequently asked questions
What is the monthly payment on a $250,000 mortgage?
$1,580.17 at 6.5% for 30 years, or $2,177.77 for 15 years (principal and interest).
How much interest on a $250,000 mortgage?
About $318,861 over 30 years at 6.5%.
What income do I need for a $250,000 mortgage?
Roughly $67,722+ a year under the 28% guideline, before taxes and insurance.