Pittsburgh Mortgage Rates Cool Off: 30-Year Fixed Drops From 7.47% to 7.14% (October 2026)

Short answer: Mortgage rates cooled off in October 2026. The average 30-year fixed APR fell from 7.47% on Oct 8 to 7.14% on Oct 29, per NerdWallet (rates provided to NerdWallet by Zillow). The lowest point in the last 30 days was 7.08% on Oct 23. Rates are still in the 7s.

These are national averages. They matter for buyers and sellers all around Pittsburgh, from Mt. Lebanon and Cranberry Township to Greensburg, Washington and Beaver, in these counties:

• Allegheny
• Washington
• Butler
• Beaver
• Westmoreland

The numbers

30-year fixed APR, last 30 days, per NerdWallet:

• 30-day high: 7.47% on Oct 8
• 30-day low: 7.08% on Oct 23
• Latest: 7.14% on Oct 29
• Change from the high: down about one third of a point (0.33) in 3 weeks
• Oct 28: 7.1%, which NerdWallet said was 10 basis points lower than the day before

A basis point is one hundredth of a percentage point. So 10 basis points is 0.10%.

Why these numbers are different from our Monday Market Watch

Our weekly Market Watch uses the Mortgage News Daily daily index. This post uses NerdWallet's numbers, which come from Zillow and are shown as APR.

• APR counts some loan costs, not just the rate.
• Each source has its own way of getting its average.
• So the two sets of numbers are not directly comparable. Compare each source only to itself.

For the latest weekly numbers, read the Pittsburgh housing market update for October 26, 2026. The week before is here: October 19, 2026.

What moved rates this week

NerdWallet pointed to a few things:

• The Fed met on Oct 28. It was expected to hold its rate steady. The Fed does not set mortgage rates, but mortgage rates tend to move with its rate.
• Inflation data. New Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) numbers for September were due Thursday, Oct 29.
• The bond market. Even small moves in bonds can shift mortgage pricing.

We do not guess where rates go next. Rates can change daily, and even hourly.

What it means if you're buying

• Your rate will not match the headline. NerdWallet says the rate you see online is a sample rate. Your quote depends on your credit score, debt, job history, down payment, loan type, home and loan amount.
• Small changes add up. A third of a point can change a monthly payment. Ask a licensed lender to run your numbers.
• Know what a lock does. A rate lock protects you if rates go up while your loan is processed. Some lenders offer a float-down option if rates drop during the lock.
• Price, credits and buydowns still matter. Read how a temporary buydown works in Pittsburgh.

What it means if you're selling

• Your buyer pays today's rate. Even with this dip, rates are still in the 7s.
• Price for the payment. Buyers think in monthly payments. A home priced right for today's rates is more likely to sell.
• Watch the trend, not one day. For more on where rates sit, read Are 7.5% mortgage rates the new normal in Pittsburgh?

What about refinancing?

NerdWallet's rule of thumb: a refinance may make sense if today's rates are at least 0.5 to 0.75 of a point lower than your current rate, and you plan to stay long enough to break even on closing costs. At today's levels, NerdWallet said that points to people with a rate around 7.6% or higher.

For illustration only. Not a loan offer or commitment to lend. Rates, payments, and terms depend on credit, income, loan program, and lender approval, and can change without notice. Buyers may need to qualify at the full note rate. Talk to a licensed lender for details.

Common questions

What are mortgage rates in Pittsburgh right now?

Per NerdWallet (rates provided by Zillow), the average 30-year fixed APR was 7.14% on Oct 29, 2026. That is a national average. Your own rate depends on your credit, loan type and lender.

Did mortgage rates go down in October 2026?

Yes. The 30-year fixed APR fell from a 30-day high of 7.47% on Oct 8 to 7.14% on Oct 29, per NerdWallet. The 30-day low was 7.08% on Oct 23.

Why is this rate different from the Monday Market Watch rate?

The Market Watch uses the Mortgage News Daily daily index. This post uses NerdWallet's APR numbers from Zillow. They are different sources, so they are not directly comparable.

Why is my mortgage quote different from the rate online?

Online rates are sample rates. Your quote depends on your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, job history, down payment, loan type, property and loan amount.

Should I refinance now?

NerdWallet's rule of thumb is that a refinance may make sense if rates are at least 0.5 to 0.75 of a point below your current rate and you stay long enough to cover closing costs. Talk to a licensed lender about your own numbers.

Do these rates apply to Allegheny, Washington, Butler, Beaver and Westmoreland counties?

These are national averages. Buyers in all of these counties shop the same national loan market, but each quote is personal.

Sources

• NerdWallet, "Mortgage Rates Today, Wednesday, October 28," Oct 28, 2026: https://www.nerdwallet.com/mortgages/news/mortgage-rates-today-wednesday-october-28-2026. Rates provided to NerdWallet by Zillow.
• NerdWallet "Average mortgage rates, last 30 days" chart, 30-year fixed APR, Sep 29 to Oct 29, 2026.
• Weekly Market Watch rates (for comparison only): Mortgage News Daily daily index.

Matt Durbin | eXp Realty
(412) 998-8896 | Broker: (888) 397-7352
MAD.Homes