What is the average credit score in the United States?
The average FICO credit score in the US is 717, according to the latest FICO data. The average VantageScore is 701 as of January 2024. Credit scores, which are like a grade for your borrowing history, fall in the range of 300 to 850.
About 21% of the American population has a FICO® Score between 800-850, according to 2022 Experian® data. This is the highest range in the FICO credit score categories, also known as an “exceptional” or “excellent” credit score.
Although ranges vary depending on the credit scoring model, generally credit scores from 580 to 669 are considered fair; 670 to 739 are considered good; 740 to 799 are considered very good; and 800 and up are considered excellent.
In the U.S., the average credit score is 716, per Experian's latest data from the second quarter of 2023. And when you break down the average credit score by age, the typical American is hovering near or above that score.
A 750 FICO® Score is above the average credit score. Borrowers with scores in the Very Good range typically qualify for lenders' better interest rates and product offers. 25% of all consumers have FICO® Scores in the Very Good range.
Membership in the 800+ credit score club is quite exclusive, with fewer than 1 in 6 people boasting a score that high, according to WalletHub data.
It's exceedingly rare for anyone to have a credit score over 900, as most credit scoring models have a maximum limit of 850, and even achieving that score is uncommon.
| Average FICO 8 Score by Generation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Generation | 2022 | 2023 |
| Generation Z (ages 18-26) | 679 - Good | 680 - Good |
| Millennials (27-42) | 687 - Good | 690 - Good |
| Generation X (43-58) | 707 - Good | 709 - Good |
It's recommended you have a credit score of 620 or higher when you apply for a conventional loan. If your score is below 620, lenders either won't be able to approve your loan or may be required to offer you a higher interest rate, which can result in higher monthly mortgage payments.
Average Credit Score by Age
Still, average credit scores tend to increase with age. In 2021, people aged 18 to 24 averaged 679, while those 76 and up had an average credit score of 760.
What is a decent credit score to buy a car?
Your credit score is a major factor in whether you'll be approved for a car loan. Some lenders use specialized credit scores, such as a FICO Auto Score. In general, you'll need at least prime credit, meaning a credit score of 661 or up, to get a loan at a good interest rate.
Most used auto loans go to borrowers with minimum credit scores of at least 675. For new auto loans, most borrowers have scores of around 730. The minimum credit score needed for a new car may be around 600, but those with excellent credit often get lower rates and lower monthly payments.
- Deep subprime (credit scores below 580)
- Subprime (credit scores of 580-619)
- Near-prime (credit scores of 620-659)
- Prime (credit scores of 660-719)
- Super-prime (credit scores of 720 or above)
Yes. Assuming the rest of your finances are solid, a credit score of 700 should qualify you for all major loan programs: conventional, FHA, VA and USDA loans all have lower minimum requirements, and even jumbo loans require a 700 score at minimum.
Mortgages with a 704 Credit Score
More than 40% of first mortgages go to borrowers with credit scores below 740, so you should be able to finance your home purchase without much issue.
However, with a 723 credit score, you should qualify for rates on-par with national averages. Also, even though your score qualifies you for a mortgage, it's important to know that the lower your score is, the stronger the rest of your qualifications are generally expected to be.
While older models of credit scores used to go as high as 900, you can no longer achieve a 900 credit score. The highest score you can receive today is 850. Anything above 800 is considered an excellent credit score.
The higher your score is, the less you'll pay to borrow money. Generally, 620 is the minimum credit score needed to buy a house, with some exceptions for government-backed loans. According to FICO, only people with credit scores above 660 will truly see interest rates around the national average.
| FICO® score | APR | Monthly payment * |
|---|---|---|
| 760-850 | 6.545% | $1,905 |
| 700-759 | 6.767% | $1,949 |
| 680-699 | 6.944% | $1,985 |
| 660-679 | 7.158% | $2,028 |
Mississippi had the lowest average FICO credit score of all states in 2023, at 680 is 38 points below the national average.
Who has a 999 credit score?
A credit score of 999 from Experian is the highest you can get. It usually means you don't have many marks on your credit file and are very likely to be accepted for a loan or credit card.
You'll qualify for lower interest rates and higher credit limits. With an 800-plus credit score, lenders can offer you better deals. This is true whether you're getting a mortgage, an auto loan, or trying to score a better interest rate on your credit card.
The average FICO credit score in the US is 717, according to the latest FICO data. The average VantageScore is 701 as of January 2024. Credit scores, which are like a grade for your borrowing history, fall in the range of 300 to 850. The higher your score, the better.
Credit card debt in America by the numbers
That represents a 4.6% increase in a single quarter, with cardholders shouldering thirteen-figure debt at $1.03 trillion for the first time. In short, that amounts to an average balance of $5,733 per cardholder.
What is a bad FICO credit score? A bad FICO credit score may fall in the fair or poor FICO range. FICO considers a credit score to be fair if it's between 580 and 669, and poor if it's below 580. According to FICO, borrowers with a FICO score in a lower range tend to be viewed as a credit risk.
