With an 400 credit score, you're unlikely to get approved for a traditional credit card. Credit cards are unsecured forms of debt, so banks tend to be a bit more cautious compared to loans backed by specific assets, like mortgages and auto loans. Having said that, there are a couple of options.
You could be eligible for a credit card or a loan with a 400 credit score. However, because 400 is at the lower end of the credit-score scale, it can be harder for you to get accepted for credit.
A 600 credit score is considered “fair.” A VantageScore between 601-660 or a FICO score between 580-669 Is considered within the “fair” range. This means you could have some limitations around what lines of credit you are able to access.
Even better, just over 1 in 5 people (21.2%) have an exceptional FICO credit score of 800 or above, all but guaranteeing access to the best products and interest rates.
What is the highest credit score possible? To start off: No, it's not possible to have a 900 credit score in the United States. In some countries that use other models, like Canada, people could have a score of 900. The current scoring models in the U.S. have a maximum of 850.
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.
There's no single, specific credit score that will automatically qualify you for a mortgage (though having the maximum score of 850 certainly never hurts). However, while lenders might not set precise qualifying numbers, they do have minimum credit score requirements.
While following these guidelines is crucial, it's important to remember that the length of time it takes to reach a 700 credit score varies from person to person. Some individuals may see significant improvements within a few months, while others may take a year or more to achieve their desired score.
Because of this financial reality, people with poor credit seeking ways to improve it may consider hiring a third-party credit repair company. While it may seem like a good idea to pay someone to fix your credit reports, there is nothing a credit repair company can do for you that you can't do yourself for free.
A credit score of 450 or below is considered poor, so direct lenders might be reluctant to approve your loan application. It's possible to get loans with a bad credit score, but be prepared for high fees, high interest rates, and potentially risky terms.
PayPal doesn't disclose a minimum credit score that's needed for approval, so the Pay in 4 program may be an option for people with a poor credit history. It looks at more than just your credit to determine eligibility and considers factors like your PayPal transaction history.
You may be able to get a personal loan without income verification if you pledge collateral, use a co-signer or have an excellent credit score. There are several ways to get approved for a personal loan with no proof of income, including applying with a co-signer and securing the loan with collateral.
If you have a low credit score, yes, you might still be able to lease — but the lower it is, the more difficult it will be. You might have an easier time getting approved to buy a used car, though. Either way, it's going to be easier, and you will pay less in interest, with a higher score.
To buy a $250,000 house, you'll likely need a credit score of 620 or higher to secure a conventional home loan.
According to Car and Driver, “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.”
Nearly half of Americans score between 750 and 850, in the very good to exceptional range, while less than 25% of Americans have a score between 300 and 649, the poor to fair credit score range.
South Burlington, Vt., is the city with the highest credit score, while Detroit is the city with the lowest, according to personal finance site WalletHub.
While income doesn't have a direct impact on your credit score, it can have an indirect impact since you need to have sufficient income to pay your bills. And if you don't make enough money to cover your bills, you can rack up debt or miss payments, which can negatively impact your credit score.
For a score with a range of 300 to 850, a credit score of 670 to 739 is considered good. Credit scores of 740 and above are very good while 800 and higher are excellent.
At the close of 2019, the average household had a credit card debt of $7,499. During the first quarter of 2021, it dropped to $6,209. In 2022, credit card debt rose again to $7,951 and has increased linearly. In 2023, it reached $8,599 — $75 shy of the 2024 average.
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.