Credit History Matters The longer you've been using credit, the more it means to your credit score. Members of the 800 Club average just under 22 years of using credit. Even the youngest ones, Millennials, average more than 14 years.
If you possess a good credit history and maintain a low credit utilization ratio, reaching an 800 credit score could be achievable within a few years. Conversely, if your credit history is poor or your credit utilization ratio is high, the journey might take longer.
Consider yourself in “good” shape if your credit score is above the average for people in your age group. Given that the average credit score for people aged 18 to 25 is 679, a score between 679 and 687 (the average for people aged 26 to 41) could be considered “good”.
An 800 credit score is not as rare as most people think, considering that roughly 23% of adults have a credit score in the 800-850 range, according to data from FICO. A score in this range allows consumers to access the best credit card offers and loans with the most favorable terms.
On-time payments
The best way to get your credit score over 800 comes down to paying your bills on time every month, even if it is making the minimum payment due. According to LendingTree's analysis of 100,000 credit reports, 100% of borrowers with a credit score of 800 or higher paid their bills on time, every time.
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.
Your score falls within the range of scores, from 740 to 799, that is considered Very Good. A 760 FICO® Score is above the average credit score. Consumers in this range may qualify for better interest rates from lenders. 25% of all consumers have FICO® Scores in the Very Good range.
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.
So, given the fact that the average credit score for people in their 20s is 630 and a “good” credit score is typically around 700, it's safe to say a good credit score in your 20s is in the high 600s or low 700s.
The average FICO® Score☉ in the United States was 715 in 2023, according to Experian data, increasing by one point from its 714 average in the third quarter (Q3) of 2022. It marks the 10th consecutive year that average FICO® Scores in the U.S. haven't decreased on an annual basis.
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 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.
The minimum credit score needed for most mortgages is typically around 620. However, government-backed mortgages like Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans typically have lower credit requirements than conventional fixed-rate loans and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs).
Practically speaking, there is no difference between the two scores. The best pricing occurs at a FICO score of 740, and mortgage insurance (required when the down payment is less than 20%) is best at 760 or better. For a 10% down payment, a buyer with a score of 760 or higher will pay .
A credit score of 700 or more is considered good and acceptable by most banks/lenders. Score is not a factor of the age of individual. Irrespective of one's age, 700 or more score is good. If you are just 20, that means you may not have had much exposure to credit/loans yet.
Average credit score for people in their 20s
For those in their 20s, the average credit score is 662. When you're first starting out and trying to build credit, it may take some time to gain traction.
According to Experian® data, the average American credit score for the age group 18-24 was 679 as of September 2022. This falls in the good FICO® credit score range (670-739). But there is no ideal or exact credit score you must have as soon as you turn 20 since everyone's financial journey is different.
However, with a 718 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.
Yes, your 616 credit score can qualify you for a mortgage. And you have a couple of main options. With a credit score of 580 or higher, you can qualify for an FHA loan to buy a home with a down payment of just 3.5%.
It's generally recommended that you have two to three credit card accounts at a time, in addition to other types of credit. Remember that your total available credit and your debt to credit ratio can impact your credit scores. If you have more than three credit cards, it may be hard to keep track of monthly payments.