On this page 6 sections
In short
- HELOC balances: $459 billion at the end of Q2 2026, up $13 billion in the quarter (New York Fed).
- Home equity: mortgage holders had $18 trillion in equity in Q2 2026, a record (ICE).
- Tappable equity: $11.7 trillion across 47.5 million mortgage holders, about $212,000 each (ICE).
- Prime rate: the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate was 7.00% as of November 3, 2026 (Bankrate).
The numbers
| Measure | Value | Period it covers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| HELOC balances outstanding | $459 billion | Q2 2026 (end of June) | New York Fed, Aug. 11, 2026 |
| Change in HELOC balances | +$13 billion | Q1 to Q2 2026 | New York Fed, Aug. 11, 2026 |
| Mortgage balances | $13.1 trillion | Q2 2026 | New York Fed, Aug. 11, 2026 |
| Total household debt | $18.8 trillion | Q2 2026 | New York Fed, Aug. 11, 2026 |
| Mortgage holder equity | $18 trillion | Q2 2026 | ICE Mortgage Monitor, Aug. 10, 2026 |
| Tappable equity | $11.7 trillion | Q2 2026 | ICE Mortgage Monitor, Aug. 10, 2026 |
| Mortgage holders with tappable equity | 47.5 million | Q2 2026 | ICE Mortgage Monitor, Aug. 10, 2026 |
| Average tappable equity per mortgage holder | About $212,000 | Q2 2026 | ICE Mortgage Monitor, Aug. 10, 2026 |
| Wall Street Journal Prime Rate | 7.00% | As of Nov. 3, 2026 | Bankrate |
How to read them
- HELOC balances are what people owe, not their credit limits. The New York Fed counts balances outstanding on home equity lines of credit across all U.S. consumers, from credit report data.
- Tappable equity is ICE's measure of equity mortgage holders could borrow against. Lenders set their own limits, so it isn't the amount any one homeowner could get. ICE's full Mortgage Monitor report explains how it's calculated.
- Homeowners without a mortgage aren't in ICE's mortgage-holder figures. They often have more equity, but no loan data to measure it.
- The prime rate is an index, not a HELOC rate. Many variable HELOCs are priced at prime plus a margin that depends on the program, credit and loan-to-value. See how HELOC rates are set.
Older figures you may see cited
Articles often repeat earlier releases as if they were current. Black Knight, which published tappable equity data before 2023, is now part of ICE, so a figure credited to Black Knight is from an older report. Check the period a number covers before you use it.
When this page is updated
- The New York Fed publishes its Household Debt and Credit Report quarterly, a few weeks after each quarter ends.
- ICE publishes its Mortgage Monitor monthly; equity figures are updated quarterly.
- The prime rate changes when banks move it, usually after a Federal Reserve rate decision.
You're welcome to cite or link to this page. Each figure links to the original source, which is the one to quote.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Americans owe on HELOCs?
$459 billion at the end of June 2026, according to the New York Fed's Household Debt and Credit Report released Aug. 11, 2026. That was up $13 billion from the first quarter.
How much home equity do Americans have?
Mortgage holders had $18 trillion in equity in the second quarter of 2026, a record, according to ICE. ICE counted $11.7 trillion of it as tappable, about $212,000 per mortgage holder.
What is the prime rate today?
The Wall Street Journal Prime Rate was 7.00% as of November 3, 2026, according to Bankrate. Check the source for any change since.
Questions about your own situation? Contact a licensed loan officer. It's optional, and your information is not sold to lead marketplaces.