Is it true that it's possible to have a high credit score even if you don't earn much income?

Asked by: Kristina Aufderhar  |  Last update: October 21, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (23 votes)

You may be glad to know it doesn't. The size of your paycheck does not influence whether you have a good or bad credit score. "Income isn't considered in credit scoring systems," John Ulzheimer, formerly of FICO and Equifax, tells CNBC Select.

How rare is an 800 credit score?

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.

Can you have a high credit limit with low income?

Annual income impacts your DTI ratio, which helps credit card companies determine your creditworthiness. The lower your DTI ratio and the higher your income, the higher your credit limit may be. Alternatively, the higher your DTI ratio and lower your income, the lower your credit limit may be.

Will I have a high credit score if I have no debt?

Ultimately, paying off credit cards and other balances and carrying no debt does not prevent someone from having a high credit score. As mentioned previously, more than 80% of people with no debt currently on their credit report receive a FICO® Score of 700 or above.

Can you build your credit with no income?

Income is not a factor when it comes to your credit score. However, income can help you pay your bills, which contributes towards your payment history. So, you can still establish credit without a job.

TOP 5 Benefits Of A High Credit Score (Most People Don't Know About!)

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How to build credit if unemployed?

While not having a job might present challenges, here are strategies that can help you steadily improve your credit score, opening doors to better financial opportunities.
  1. Become an authorized user. ...
  2. Get a co-signer. ...
  3. Apply for a secured credit card. ...
  4. Use a credit builder loan. ...
  5. Open a joint account. ...
  6. Use credit responsibly.

Can I get a credit card if I don't have an income?

The answer is yes: in some cases, you can get a credit card with no income. However, doing this usually requires that the applicant is at least 18 years old and has an adult cosigner. It's important to note, though, that “income” can mean more than money earned through a job.

How good is a 783 credit score?

A 783 credit score is Very Good, but it can be even better. If you can elevate your score into the Exceptional range (800-850), you could become eligible for the very best lending terms, including the lowest interest rates and fees, and the most enticing credit-card rewards programs.

What is the credit score for someone with zero debt?

Having no credit card debt isn't bad for your credit scores, but you do need to maintain open and active credit accounts to have the best scores. By using your credit cards and paying the balances off monthly (so that you carry no debt), you could achieve an excellent credit score.

What is the average credit score?

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.

How to get $50,000 credit card limit?

If you have excellent credit, high income and low credit utilization among other variables, issuers may offer you a credit line of $30,000 to $50,000.

How can I raise my credit score 100 points overnight?

10 Ways to Boost Your Credit Score
  1. Review Your Credit Report. ...
  2. Pay Your Bills on Time. ...
  3. Ask for Late Payment Forgiveness. ...
  4. Keep Credit Card Balances Low. ...
  5. Keep Old Credit Cards Active. ...
  6. Become an Authorized User. ...
  7. Consider a Credit Builder Loan. ...
  8. Take Out a Secured Credit Card.

What credit score is considered rich?

800 to 850: Excellent Credit Score

Individuals in this range are considered to be low-risk borrowers.

Is a 900 credit score possible?

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.

What US city has the worst credit rating?

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.

What is the poorest credit score?

VantageScore credit scores
  • Very Poor: 300-499.
  • Poor: 500-600.
  • Fair: 601-660.
  • Good: 661-780.
  • Excellent: 781-850.

What will be my credit score if I never borrowed money?

If you have no (or little) previous borrowing history, and no track record on which to determine credit-worthiness, CIBIL will assign you scores of 0 or -1 respectively: CIBIL score 0 means that information about the borrower's credit history is available for only up to a period of less than 6 months in total.

Why do I no longer have a FICO score?

There are several reasons why you might not see a FICO® Score, such as: Your account is new (generally less than six months), and the FICO® Score service is not yet available. Your credit history is too new (generally less than six months) or limited to allow a FICO score to be calculated.

What is the highest credit score to buy a house?

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.

Is credit karma accurate?

Overall, Credit Karma may produce a different result than one or more of the three major credit bureaus directly. The slight differences in calculations between FICO and VantageScore can lead to significant variances in credit scores, making Credit Karma less accurate than most may appreciate.

What is a good credit score to buy a car?

Key Takeaways. 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.

What is a good monthly income for a credit card?

If your monthly income is $2,500, your DTI ratio would be 64 percent, which might be too high to qualify for some credit cards. With an income of roughly $3,700 and the same debt, however, you'd have a DTI ratio of 43 percent and would have better chances of qualifying for a credit card.

Can a spouse with no income get a credit card?

If you're not currently working, you can use your spouse's or partner's income on your credit application. This can help you get approved while still having a card in your own name.

Does Discover ask for proof of income?

Discover uses multiple resources to confirm income and employment status: To verify income: Documents like recent pay stubs or bank statements can serve as income verification. In certain situations, we may use third-party vendors to confirm that information.