Government Borrowing Costs Hit 25-Year High — What It Means for You

The US government's 30-year borrowing rate hit 5.216% on August 18, 2026 — the highest in 25 years, per Reuters. Investors worldwide are dumping bonds, spooked by inflation and government debt. That pushes borrowing costs up broadly. The average 30-year mortgage was 6.67% on August 13, but the full fallout hasn't hit yet.