Highest & lowest judgment interest rates by state (2026)

Interest on a money judgment ranges from low single digits to 12% a year depending on the state. Here are the extremes for 2026 — both after judgment and before it — based on the current recorded observations. States with multiple rates by claim type, judgment size, or debtor type are excluded because ranking only their first number would be misleading.

What the rankings tell you

• Fixed vs. market-linked. The highest rates (12%) are almost all fixed by statute and haven't moved in years; the lowest tend to be market-linked formulas that rise and fall with Treasury yields or the prime rate. A low-ranked state today can climb as rates rise.
• Prejudgment is a different number. Many states set a different rate for the period before judgment — and often a separate rate again for tort/personal-injury claims. See the prejudgment index for the claim-type rules.
• Simple vs. compound matters more than the headline. Most states apply simple interest; a few compound annually, which over several years can outweigh a higher simple rate. Each state page notes which applies.

See the full state-by-state comparison, run the calculators, or read how each rate is sourced in the methodology. Reference data as of September 3, 2026 — not legal advice; confirm the controlling rate for your judgment date against the statute.