Rhode Island mortgage and refinance rates for September 2026

As of Monday, September 28, 2026, current mortgage interest rates in Rhode Island are 7.29% for a 30-year fixed mortgage and 6.72% for a 15-year fixed mortgage. Mortgage rates in Rhode Island and nationally dipped in early 2026, but have remained elevated based on inflation concerns and geopolitical conflict.

If you’re thinking about buying a home in Rhode Island this year, keep an eye on rate trends, but avoid trying to time your purchase. While some economists expect the 30-year mortgage rate to fall slightly in the coming months, rates fluctuate so often that it's impossible to make a firm prediction. Ultimately, your decision to lock your rate should be based on your needs and readiness.

Refinance rates in Rhode Island tend to follow trends for purchase rates in the state and nationwide. Recently, more homeowners in Rhode Island have been refinancing to new mortgages, and if rates fall, that trend could steadily pick up. Refinancing is not just about lowering your payment, though. If you’ve been in your home for a long time, tapping this equity in a cash-out refinance could help you tackle other financial goals, like a home renovation or consolidating debt.

If you’re looking to borrow money to purchase a home in Rhode Island, you have many loan options. Here’s a look at how any rate quotes you receive compare with the national averages.

• Rhode Island conventional mortgages: To qualify for a conventional mortgage, you’ll generally need a minimum 620 credit score and a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio of no more than 45%. If you make a down payment below 20%, you’ll need to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI), as well.
• Rhode Island FHA loans: If your credit history disqualifies you from a conventional mortgage, you might be able to secure a loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). A credit score of at least 580 can help you get an FHA loan with a down payment of just 3.5%. You can still get an FHA loan with a credit score of 500, but that requires a 10% down payment.
• Rhode Island VA loans: If you’re a veteran or active-duty member of the military, you may qualify for a mortgage guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). A VA loan doesn’t require a down payment or mortgage insurance, but you do need to pay a funding fee, which ranges from 1.25-2.15% for the first use.
• Rhode Island jumbo loans: The closer you get to the water, the higher the price tags become in Rhode Island. And if you need to borrow a large sum for a mansion with a view of the ocean, you may need to compare jumbo loan rates from multiple lenders, many of which will ask you for a down payment of at least 10%.

Through the agency RIHousing, Rhode Island has first-time homebuyer programs to help consumers who are ready to purchase their first home.

• First-Time Homebuyer Loans: By getting their first mortgage through RIHousing, first-time homebuyers in Rhode Island can combine that first mortgage with down payment assistance to avoid paying any money out of pocket upfront. The maximum purchase price is $838,592, and income limits apply. You’ll need to earn less than $134,320 if you are single or live in a two-person household and less than $154,468 if your household has three or more people.
• 15kDPA: If your credit score is at least 660 and you meet income and purchase price limits, you may be able to qualify for up to $15,000 of down payment and closing cost assistance. It’s a 0 percent deferred loan that you’ll need to repay when the home is no longer your primary residence, you sell the home or refinance the mortgage.
• FirstGenHomeRI: If you’re a first-generation homebuyer with a credit score of at least 660, you may be eligible for up to $25,000 of down payment and closing cost assistance. Better yet, the loan is forgivable after five years of living in the home. The program is a pilot program with limited funds and is only available to first-generation buyers in Central Falls, East Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket and certain parts of Providence and Newport.
• Extra Assistance: RIHousing’s Extra Assistance has a lower credit score requirement — just 620 — and offers eligible buyers up to 6% of the purchase price or $20,000 (whichever is lower) to help cover down payment and closing costs. The interest rate for this loan is the same as the rate on the first mortgage.