In Canada, a decent credit score generally starts around 660, with scores from 660-724 considered "Good," 725-759 "Very Good," and 760+ "Excellent," opening doors to better rates on loans and credit cards, though scores vary slightly between bureaus like Equifax and TransUnion and models like FICO.
As the chart above illustrates, a credit score of 660 or higher is typically considered good in Canada. Scores between 725 and 759 are very good and anything above 760 is excellent. That said, what's considered “good” can vary by lender, product or even credit bureau.
Yes, you can likely get a $50,000 loan with a 700 credit score, as this falls into the "good" credit range (670-739) that unlocks better rates, but approval also hinges on your income, debt-to-income (DTI) ratio (ideally below 36%), and overall credit history, with lenders looking for stability and repayment ability, so prequalifying with multiple lenders helps compare terms.
Yes, it is technically possible to get a 900 credit score in Canada, but it's very rare—and you absolutely don't need 900 to qualify for great rates and approvals. Most lenders consider you “excellent” well before 900.
In Canada, according to Equifax, a good credit score is usually between 660 to 724. If your credit score is between 725 to 759 it's likely to be considered very good. A credit score of 760 and above is generally considered to be an excellent credit score. The credit score range is anywhere between 300 to 900.
In Canada, it's quite uncommon to have a credit score calculation of 900, no matter your personal finance situation. In fact, only 1%-6% of people have credit score calculations of 850 or higher, and it's very difficult to get a perfect credit score calculated to 900.
Yes, you can likely get a $50,000 loan with a 700 credit score, as this falls into the "good" credit range (670-739) that unlocks better rates, but approval also hinges on your income, debt-to-income (DTI) ratio (ideally below 36%), and overall credit history, with lenders looking for stability and repayment ability, so prequalifying with multiple lenders helps compare terms.
A minimum credit score of 620 is required to purchase a $300,000 house with a conventional loan. Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans require a 3.5% down payment for a credit score of 580 or above.
Trying to raise your credit score?
No. According to Equifax Canada, your income doesn't directly factor into your score. But there are other ways that your income can impact your ability to build credit.
You will be pleased to know that there is no minimum credit score required to apply for a car loan. Different lenders set their own criteria to who they will accept but there is no 'official' minimum score.
While your credit scores may dip from paying off debt, that doesn't mean you should ever ignore what you owe. The drop to your credit scores when you pay off debt is unlikely to be permanent. It's always a good idea to keep up with your debt payments and repay what you owe.
In Canada, credit scores range from 300 to 900, 900 being a perfect score and 300 the lowest. According to data from a 2022 survey, the average credit score in Canada is 672, and 694 in British Columbia. Your credit score is used by lenders to determine what kind of borrower you are.
The 2-2-2 credit rule is a guideline for building strong credit, suggesting you should have two active credit accounts (like cards or loans) for at least two years, with consistent on-time payments for those two years, often with a minimum credit limit of $2,000 per account, to demonstrate financial responsibility to lenders, especially for mortgages. It's a benchmark to show you can handle credit well over time, reducing lender risk and improving approval odds for major loans.
How does my income affect my credit score? Your income doesn't directly impact your credit score, though how much money you make affects your ability to pay off your loans and debts, which in turn affects your credit score. "Creditworthiness" is often shown through a credit score.
An 800 credit score is considered "exceptional" and, while not extremely common, it's achieved by a significant minority: roughly 23-24% of U.S. consumers have scores of 800 or higher, meaning nearly one in four people falls into this top tier, though far fewer (around 1.5-2%) hit a perfect 850. This level of credit is excellent for securing the best loan rates, requiring consistent on-time payments, very low credit utilization, and a long credit history.