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How Much Does a Lower Rate
Actually Save?

Real numbers by loan size. Not estimates — actual payment math at each rate level. Built by a banking professional who reviewed these numbers daily.

0.5% Rate Reduction — Monthly & Lifetime Savings

Loan AmountAt 7.0%At 6.5%Monthly Savings30-Year Savings
$200,000$1,331$1,264$67/mo$24,120
$300,000$1,996$1,896$100/mo$36,000
$400,000$2,661$2,528$133/mo$47,880
$500,000$3,327$3,160$167/mo$60,120
$600,000$3,992$3,792$200/mo$72,000
$800,000$5,323$5,056$267/mo$96,120

1.0% Rate Reduction — Monthly & Lifetime Savings

Loan AmountAt 7.0%At 6.0%Monthly Savings30-Year Savings
$200,000$1,331$1,199$132/mo$47,520
$300,000$1,996$1,799$197/mo$70,920
$400,000$2,661$2,398$263/mo$94,680
$500,000$3,327$2,998$329/mo$118,440
$600,000$3,992$3,597$395/mo$142,200
$800,000$5,323$4,796$527/mo$189,720

Credit Score Impact on Rate

Credit ScoreTypical RatePayment on $400Kvs 740 Score30-Year Cost
580-619~7.8%$2,873+$475/mo+$171,000
620-659~7.5%$2,797+$399/mo+$143,640
660-699~7.1%$2,693+$295/mo+$106,200
700-719~6.8%$2,614+$216/mo+$77,760
720-739~6.4%$2,504+$106/mo+$38,160
740+~6.1%$2,398Best rateBaseline

The difference between a 580 score and a 740 score on a $400,000 mortgage is $475/month — or $171,000 over 30 years. Same house. Same bank. Different number.

See Your Exact Numbers

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P&I only. Rates are illustrative based on typical market spreads by credit tier. Actual rates vary by lender, loan type, and market conditions. Not financial advice.

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The part no calculator can tell you

Numbers like these tell you what you can afford. They cannot tell you whether a lender will say yes — and that varies more than almost anyone realises. In the complete 2025 federal record, approval rates across the 100 largest FHA lenders ran from 98.2% down to 21.3%. Same program, same year.

And it is not simply who applies where: holding state, loan amount, income, debt-to-income and loan-to-value constant, applicant mix explains only a 2.7× range in expected outcomes.

Which lenders approve most → Your metro's lenders → Apply to more than one? →

CFPB HMDA 2025, computed by FinanceRateCalc · rates reflect applicant mix as well as lender practice · historical observation, not a prediction · free, CC BY 4.0.

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FinanceRateCalc · Independent analysis of the complete federal HMDA record · Measured, not assumed. · No lender or AI vendor funds or previews this work.