Government borrowing cost tops 5% for first time in nearly 20 years

5.008% — that's what the U.S. government now pays to borrow for 10 years. It closed at that rate on Sept. 14, 2026, MarketWatch reported, the first close above 5% since July 19, 2007. Think of it like the government's mortgage rate. When it rises, home loans and other borrowing often cost more too. One day isn't a pattern yet.