Full Breakdown
Mortgage Payments Decline in Select U.S. Cities While Others See Increases, According to LendingTree Report
4/26/2026, 11:50:56 AM
National Mortgage Payment Trend
A LendingTree analysis released in 2025 indicates that the average monthly mortgage payment for U.S. homeowners fell from $1,990 in 2024 to $1,942 in 2025, a reduction of $48 or roughly 2.4 percent. The report frames the decline as modest but notable against a backdrop of rising costs for gas, groceries, and other living expenses.
City-Level Changes: Largest Decreases
The study highlights four metropolitan areas with the steepest month-to-month payment drops:
- Fresno, California – Payments fell 17.5 percent, from $2,414 to $1,992.
- North Port, Florida – A 17.4 percent decline, mirroring Fresno’s magnitude.
- Winston-Salem, North Carolina – Payments decreased 15.6 percent.
- San Antonio, Texas – Also recorded a 15.6 percent reduction.
These cities rank at the top of a 20-city list where mortgage costs have softened over the past year.
City-Level Changes: Largest Increases
Conversely, six cities experienced notable payment growth:
- Akron, Ohio – Payments rose 10.7 percent, the highest increase nationwide.
- Toledo, Ohio – Followed with a 9.7 percent rise.
- Augusta, Georgia – Saw an 8.9 percent increase.
- Charleston, South Carolina – Payments grew 6.7 percent.
- Hartford, Connecticut – Recorded a 6.2 percent rise.
- Savannah, Georgia – Also posted a 6.2 percent increase.
These gains contrast sharply with the declines observed in the western and southern markets.
Geographic Distribution of Changes
Texas and Florida dominate the list of cities with sizable payment reductions, accounting for nine of the top twenty decreases. In contrast, Ohio contributes both of the highest-increase cities, underscoring a regional divergence in mortgage cost trends.
Data Summary
- National average payment change: –$48 (-2.4 %).
- Top decrease: Fresno, CA (-17.5 %).
- Top increase: Akron, OH (+10.7 %).
- Cities with >=15 % change: Four cities decreasing, none increasing at that magnitude.
The report’s quantitative focus centers on percentage shifts and absolute dollar amounts, providing a clear comparative snapshot across major markets.
Official Report Summary
LendingTree’s publication attributes the overall national decline to a combination of factors, including recent adjustments in interest rates and shifting home-price dynamics. The organization makes the full 20-city list available for public review, encouraging further analysis of regional variations.
Implications for Housing Affordability
While the national average payment reduction is modest, the pronounced drops in specific cities may ease monthly budgeting pressures for homeowners in those locales. Conversely, the payment increases observed in Ohio, Georgia, South Carolina, and Connecticut could intensify affordability challenges for residents there, especially amid broader cost-of-living increases noted in the report’s introduction.
