According to FICO® Score, 15.5% of the population has a credit score below 600, while the average credit score sits at 716. Having a 600 credit score places you below the national average and into the “fair credit” category.
There is no set credit score you need to get an auto loan. If you have a credit score above 660, you will likely qualify for an auto loan at a rate below 10% APR. If you have bad credit or no credit, you could still qualify for a car loan, but you should expect to pay more.
FHA loans are intended for people with lower credit; they allow a minimum credit score between 500 and 580. If your FICO score is below 580, you'll need a 10% down payment. If it's above 580, you only need to put 3.5% down.
Your score falls within the range of scores, from 580 to 669, considered Fair. A 600 FICO® Score is below the average credit score. Some lenders see consumers with scores in the Fair range as having unfavorable credit, and may decline their credit applications.
FICO considers a credit score to be poor if it falls below 580. According to FICO, a person with a FICO score in that range is viewed as a credit risk.
FICO credit scores, the industry standard for sizing up credit risk, range from 300 to a perfect 850—with 670 to 739 labeled “good,” 740-799 “very good” and 800 to 850 “exceptional.” A 700 score places you right in the middle of the good range, but still slightly below the average credit score of 711.
You will likely need a credit score of at least 580 for a $3,000 personal loan. Most lenders that offer personal loans of $3,000 or more require bad credit or better for approval, along with enough income to afford the monthly payments.
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.
An individual with a 606 credit score will typically receive a credit card interest rate of between 20.5 and 16.5 percent. In comparison, someone with excellent credit can receive an average credit card interest rate of 13.5 percent.
The base credit scores of the most popular credit-reporting models start at 300. Starting with a score of around 300 is possible only if you've managed your finances poorly. You may start to build a credit history or improve your score without using any type of credit.
It usually takes about three months to bounce back after a credit card has been maxed out or you close an unused credit card account. If you make a single mortgage payment 30 to 90 days late, your score can start to recover after about 9 months.
How Long Does It Take to Fix Credit? The good news is that when your score is low, each positive change you make is likely to have a significant impact. For instance, going from a poor credit score of around 500 to a fair credit score (in the 580-669 range) takes around 12 to 18 months of responsible credit use.
A FICO® Score of 610 places you within a population of consumers whose credit may be seen as Fair. Your 610 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.
A conventional loan requires a credit score of at least 620, but it's ideal to have a score of 740 or above, which could allow you to make a lower down payment, get a more attractive interest rate and save on private mortgage insurance.
You will likely need a credit score of 640 or higher to get approved for a $10,000 personal loan. Most lenders that offer personal loans of $10,000 or more require fair credit or better for approval, along with enough income to afford the monthly payments.
It's Best to Pay Your Credit Card Balance in Full Each Month
Leaving a balance will not help your credit scores—it will just cost you money in the form of interest. Carrying a high balance on your credit cards has a negative impact on scores because it increases your credit utilization ratio.
If your credit score is a 625 or higher, and you meet other requirements, you should not have any problem getting a mortgage. Credit scores in the 620-680 range are generally considered fair credit. There are many mortgage lenders that offer loan programs to borrowers with credit scores in the 500s.
The best-known range of FICO scores is 300 to 850. Anything above 670 is generally considered to be good. FICO also offers industry-specific FICO scores, such as for credit cards or auto loans, which can range from 250 to 900.
Highlights: Credit scores are three-digit numbers that show an important piece of your financial history. Credit scores help lenders decide whether to grant you credit. The average credit score in the United States is 698, based on VantageScore® data from February 2021.
70% of U.S. consumers' FICO® Scores are higher than 660. What's more, your score of 660 is very close to the Good credit score range of 670-739. With some work, you may be able to reach (and even exceed) that score range, which could mean access to a greater range of credit and loans, at better interest rates.