Why is myFICO score higher than my credit score?

Asked by: Lura Jerde  |  Last update: December 23, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (6 votes)

Why is my FICO® score different from my credit score? Your FICO Score is a credit score. But if your FICO score is different from another of your credit scores, it may be that the score you're viewing was calculated using one of the other scoring models that exist.

Why is my FICO higher than my credit score?

And so specifically, the most likely explanation for having different FICO scores reported is because you've been continuing to use your credit cards. If you stop using all of your credit cards, then the FICO scores reported to you by different credit card issuers will be much more consistent.

Is FICO or credit score more accurate?

The primary credit scoring models are FICO® and VantageScore®, and both are equally accurate. Although both are accurate, most lenders are looking at your FICO score when you apply for a loan.

Do lenders look at FICO or credit score?

After you've determined that you're ready to buy a home, you need to understand how lenders see you. Lenders will determine your credit-worthiness based on your FICO® scores.

Why is my Credit Karma score lower than FICO?

1. Credit Score Models: Credit Karma uses the VantageScore model, which can differ from the FICO score model used by many lenders. This can result in different scores. 2. Lender Preferences: Most lenders rely on FICO scores when making credit decisions.

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16 related questions found

What's more accurate, FICO or Credit Karma?

Credit Karma's credit scores are VantageScores, a competitor to the more widely used FICO scores. Those scores are based on the information in your credit reports from Equifax and TransUnion, two of the three major credit bureaus. Your Credit Karma score should be relatively close to your FICO score.

Which credit report is most accurate?

One credit bureau isn't more accurate than another, rather, they may simply have different methods of calculating your credit score. It's important to note that all three bureaus are used widely in the U.S. None of them are more “important” than the others.

What credit score is needed to buy a $300k house?

You can buy a $300,000 house with only $9,000 down when using a conventional mortgage, which is the lowest down payment permitted, unless you qualify for a zero-down-payment VA or USDA loan. Different lenders have different rules, but typically they require a 620 credit score for conventional loan approval.

Is a FICO score of 8 good or bad?

Lenders use it to help determine whether to approve someone for a loan or a mortgage and assess how much interest they might be charged. The FICO Score 8 can range from 300 to 850, with anything over 700 usually considered good credit health.

Do banks use FICO score vs credit score?

Key Takeaways. A credit score is a three-digit number that measures your financial health and how well you manage credit and debt. FICO scores are a specific type of score that lenders can use when making borrowing decisions. The FICO credit scoring system is the most widely used credit score.

Why is my FICO score higher than credit wise?

The reason for the differences in scores comes down to the differences in credit reports from each of the major credit bureaus. For example, lenders might not report credit activity to all three bureaus.

How close is the FICO score to the credit score?

FICO® Scores are a type of credit score, but not all credit scores are FICO® Scores. Checking your FICO® Score may be more beneficial, as 90% of top lenders use FICO® Credit Scores. There are different versions of FICO® Credit Scores finetuned for different credit products (like home and car loans).

Do car dealerships use FICO?

The two big credit scoring models used by auto lenders are FICO® Auto Score and Vantage. We're going to take at look at FICO® since it has long been the auto industry standard.

What's more important a credit score or a FICO score?

For over 25 years, FICO Scores have been the industry standard for determining a person's credit risk. Many lenders use FICO Scores to make faster, fairer, and more accurate lending decisions. Other credit scores can be very different from FICO Scores—sometimes by as much as 100 points!

Why is my Experian lower than FICO?

Your credit reports from Experian, TransUnion and Equifax could have different information because creditors can choose which bureau(s) they want to report to, as well as what they report and when. As a result, the same scoring model could give you different credit scores based on each of your three credit reports.

Can a FICO score be wrong?

Inaccuracies on credit reports are relatively rare, but they can occur from time to time. That's why it's wise to regularly check your credit reports with the three national consumer credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax).

Which FICO score does Amex use?

Credit score calculated based on the FICO® Score 8 model and is provided for educational purposes.

What is an acceptable FICO score?

670 to 739: Good Credit Score

Lenders generally view those with credit scores of 670 and up as acceptable or lower-risk borrowers.

How common is an 850 FICO score?

And when it comes to credit, 850 is the highest the FICO® Score scale goes. For more and more U.S. consumers, practice is making perfect. According to recent Experian data, 1.54% of consumers have a "perfect" FICO® Score of 850.

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.

Can I afford a 300k house on a 70k salary?

If you make $70k a year, you can afford to spend about $1,633 on a monthly mortgage payment — as long as you have less than $500 in other monthly debt payments. You may be able to afford a $302,000 home in a low cost of living area. You may be able to afford a $247,000 home in a high cost of living area.

What credit score do you need to buy a $600000 house?

For a $600,000 home, you'll likely need a very good to excellent credit score: 760+: Best rates and terms. 740-759: Slightly higher rates.

Which credit score do most creditors look at?

FICO scores are generally known to be the most widely used by lenders. But the credit-scoring model used may vary by lender. While FICO Score 8 is the most common, mortgage lenders might use FICO Score 2, 4 or 5. Auto lenders often use one of the FICO Auto Scores.

What credit score is needed to buy a car?

Still, you typically need a good credit score of 661 or higher to qualify for an auto loan. About 69% of retail vehicle financing is for borrowers with credit scores of 661 or higher, according to Experian. Meanwhile, low-credit borrowers with scores of 600 or lower accounted for only 14% of auto loans.

Why is my FICO Score 100 points lower than credit karma?

Your FICO Score is a credit score. But if your FICO score is different from another of your credit scores, it may be that the score you're viewing was calculated using one of the other scoring models that exist.