An $80,000 home equity loan carries estimated monthly payments of $976.55 over 10 years or $771.00 over 15 years at the average 8.14% rate reported for September 9, 2026. Home equity loans currently cost less than personal loans at around 12% and credit cards averaging more than 22% in September, while offering fixed payments that can make budgeting easier. The trade-off is that the borrower’s home secures the debt, so failing to repay could lead to foreclosure. Payments have changed little from December and November 2025, and a HELOC (home equity line of credit) may offer a slightly lower rate but carries variable payments. With no Federal Reserve rate cut since December 2025 and the possibility of future rate increases, current loan offers may not remain available, although borrowers can refinance if rates later fall substantially.