650 Credit Score: Is It Good or Bad? - NerdWallet (2024)

A 650 credit score is considered fair. Your score helps lenders decide whether you qualify for products like credit cards and loans, and what interest rate you should pay.

The share of Americans with a score below 650 was 24% as of April 2023, according to credit scoring company FICO. A 650 credit score is not considered "bad" by both FICO and its competitor VantageScore. Generally speaking, scores below 630 fall into the bad range.

Here’s how a 650 credit score can affect your financial life.

With a 650 score, you may pay higher rates than others

As someone with a 650 credit score, you are firmly in the “fair” territory of credit. You can usually qualify for financial products like a mortgage or car loan, but you will likely pay higher interest rates than someone with a better credit score. The "good" credit range starts at 690.

Fortunately, there are quick ways to pump up your score to get better rates. Here are a few ways to build your credit to where you want it to be.

Ways to beef up your 650 credit score

Credit scores change often based on your activity, so your 650 score can go up. Here are some tools you can use to build credit:

  • Take your good credit habits to the next level: Pay all your bills on time and try to use no more than 30% of the credit limit on all your credit cards. Those are the two biggest factors affecting your credit score. The less you use of your available credit, the better it is for your score. Opening a new credit card that's used for one small recurring purchase can also help, just make sure to research eligibility requirements before applying.

  • Apply for a secured credit card, a type of card that's backed by a cash deposit.

  • Visit your local credit union to get a credit-builder loan or secured loan. A credit-builder loan allows you to build your score and save up some money at the same time.

  • Ask a family member or friend with a high credit score and long credit history to add you as an authorized user on their credit card. That gives you an additional line of credit on your credit report.

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650 Credit Score: Is It Good or Bad? - NerdWallet (2)

650 Credit Score: Is It Good or Bad? - NerdWallet (2024)

FAQs

650 Credit Score: Is It Good or Bad? - NerdWallet? ›

As someone with a 650 credit score, you are firmly in the “fair” territory of credit. You can usually qualify for financial products like a mortgage or car loan, but you will likely pay higher interest rates than someone with a better credit score.

Is a credit score of 650 OK? ›

A FICO® Score of 650 places you within a population of consumers whose credit may be seen as Fair. Your 650 FICO® Score is lower than the average U.S. credit score. Statistically speaking, 28% of consumers with credit scores in the Fair range are likely to become seriously delinquent in the future.

Can I get a bank loan with a 650 credit score? ›

Typically, the minimum credit score for personal loan approval is 610 – 640. The best credit score for a personal loan with good rates and terms, though, is most often 650 or higher. Each personal loan gets evaluated on an individual basis, and requirements vary by lender.

Is 650 a good credit score to buy a car? ›

Is 650 a good credit score to buy a car? It's possible to get approved for a car loan with a 650 credit score. If you are approved for a car loan, having a lower credit score may mean you're offered less favorable loan terms, like a higher interest rate.

What credit score do you need to get a $30,000 loan? ›

Requirements to receive a personal loan

This allows them to look at your history from the past seven years and see whether you've typically made payments on time. For a $30,000 loan, you'll typically need a credit score above 600 just to qualify or above 700 to get a competitive rate.

How long does it take to get a credit score from 650 to 700? ›

It may take you 4 months to a year to reach the credit score of 700. Your credit score improvement is completely dependent on your financial activities.

Can I buy a house with a 650 credit score? ›

The major credit bureaus have different credit scoring categories, and a good credit score is between 670 and 739. A 650 is on the high end of the fair credit score category, which ranges from 580 to 669. A 650 credit score will help you qualify for most home loans, but you may end up with a higher interest rate.

Can I get a $20,000 loan with a 650 credit score? ›

What credit score do you need for a $20,000 loan? The credit score needed for a $20,000 loan varies by lender. Generally, you'll need a good to excellent credit score — 670 or higher — to qualify for a $20,000 loan.

How big of a loan can I get with a 650 credit score? ›

You can borrow as much as $40,000 - $100,000+ with a 650 credit score. The exact amount of money you will get depends on other factors besides your credit score, such as your income, your employment status, the type of loan you get, and even the lender.

What will a 650 credit score get me? ›

As someone with a 650 credit score, you are firmly in the “fair” territory of credit. You can usually qualify for financial products like a mortgage or car loan, but you will likely pay higher interest rates than someone with a better credit score. The "good" credit range starts at 690.

Can I get a 30k car with a 650 credit score? ›

If your credit score is above 620, you are likely to get a car loan with favorable terms. Most loans you can get with a 650 credit score require a down payment and come with terms of 48 months or longer. You can expect average interest rates because 650 is a middle-of-the-road credit score.

What APR should I expect with a 650 credit score? ›

Auto loan interest rates by credit score
Credit scoreAverage APR, new carAverage APR, used car
Prime: 661-780.7.01%.9.73%.
Nonprime: 601-660.9.60%.14.12%.
Subprime: 501-600.12.28%.18.89%.
Deep subprime: 300-500.14.78%.21.55%.
2 more rows
Feb 29, 2024

How fast does your credit score go up after paying debt? ›

How long after paying off debt will my credit scores change? The three nationwide CRAs generally receive new information from your creditors and lenders every 30 to 45 days. If you've recently paid off a debt, it may take more than a month to see any changes in your credit scores.

How much would a 30k car cost a month? ›

If you have been qualified for a $30,000 car loan, the monthly payment depends on the amount of the down payment, interest rate, and loan length. For example, with a down payment of $2,500, an interest rate of 5%, and a loan length of three years, you will have to pay $824.20/month.

What is the average monthly payment on a $30000 loan? ›

Example Monthly Payments on a $30,000 Personal Loan
Payoff periodAPRMonthly payment
12 months15%$2,708
24 months15%$1,455
36 months15%$1,040
48 months15%$835
3 more rows
Aug 31, 2021

What would the monthly payment be on a $30000 loan? ›

Advertising Disclosures
Loan AmountLoan Term (Years)Estimated Fixed Monthly Payment*
$25,0005$514.57
$30,0003$926.18
$30,0005$608.15
$35,0003$1080.54
13 more rows

How to go from 650 to 750 credit score? ›

Top ways to raise your credit score
  1. Make credit card payments on time. ...
  2. Remove incorrect or negative information from your credit reports. ...
  3. Hold old credit accounts. ...
  4. Become an authorized user. ...
  5. Use a secured credit card. ...
  6. Report rent and utility payments. ...
  7. Minimize credit inquiries.
Jul 27, 2023

How long does it take to get from 650 to 750 credit score? ›

Generally, it takes around 4-12 months to reach the point where you can apply for a loan. It will take a few months to get to 750 if your score is currently somewhere between 650 and 700. However, if you have a credit score of less than 650, it will take more time to improve the score.

How much will I get approved for with a 650 credit score? ›

You can borrow as much as $40,000 - $100,000+ with a 650 credit score. The exact amount of money you will get depends on other factors besides your credit score, such as your income, your employment status, the type of loan you get, and even the lender.

What percentage of Americans have a 650 credit score? ›

Credit score distribution: How rare is an exceptional 800 to 850 score?
FICO® Score rangePercent within range
600-6499%
650-69912%
700-74917%
750-79924%
4 more rows
May 31, 2023

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