What is the average American's credit score?
What is the average credit score? The average FICO
Less than 21% of people have a credit score over 800. A credit score of 800+ is considered perfect credit, indicates that a borrower uses credit very responsibly, and qualifies the person for the best loan and credit card terms.
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.
Your credit score helps lenders decide if you qualify for products like credit cards and loans, and your interest rate. You are one of the 48% of Americans who had a score of 750 or above as of April 2023, according to credit scoring company FICO.
Your score falls in the range of scores, from 800 to 850, that is considered Exceptional. Your FICO® Score and is well above the average credit score. Consumers with scores in this range may expect easy approvals when applying for new credit. 21% of all consumers have FICO® Scores in the Exceptional range.
According to a report by FICO, only 23% of the scorable population has a credit score of 800 or above.
| 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.
Your 840 FICO® Score falls in the range of scores, from 800 to 850, that is categorized as Exceptional. Your FICO® Score is well above the average credit score, and you are likely to receive easy approvals when applying for new credit. 21% of all consumers have FICO® Scores in the Exceptional range.
What is a good 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 consumers have credit scores that fall between 600 and 750. In 2022, the average FICO® Score☉ in the U.S. reached 714. Achieving a good credit score can help you qualify for a credit card or loan with a lower interest rate and better terms.
Around 33% of Americans have a bad FICO credit score (between 300-620). In 2021, the average credit score in the United States was 711, with around 16% of adults having a credit score lower than 579.
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 735 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.
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.
Now that you've seen your credit report and found out that you have a credit score of 730, this is excellent news! Your score is considered above average, and you are eligible for all types of mortgage loans currently on the market.
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.
Conventional loans: A credit score of 800 is well above the minimum needed to qualify for a conforming conventional loan, which is typically 620. In fact, with an 800, you ought to qualify for some of the best interest rates and terms available.
Can you get a car with a 800 credit score?
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.
A perfect credit score of 850 is hard to get, but an excellent credit score is more achievable. If you want to get the best credit cards, mortgages and competitive loan rates — which can save you money over time — excellent credit can help you qualify. “Excellent” is the highest tier of credit scores you can have.
A breakdown of younger generation credit scores
Millennials average a credit score of 690, and Gen Zers come in at 680. For reference, the qualifying credit score for most conventional home loans is 620, according to Rocket Mortgage.
Lenders like to see a mix of both installment loans and revolving credit on your credit portfolio. So if you pay off a car loan and don't have any other installment loans, you might actually see that your credit score dropped because you now have only revolving debt.
On average, the Silent Generation and Baby Boomers have high credit scores (around 730-736) due to their longer credit histories and responsible credit practices. Generation X's average credit score is about 658, while Millennials and Generation Z have scores around 668 and 650-670, respectively.
