What is an excellent credit score?
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.
According to a report by FICO, only 23% of the scorable population has a credit score of 800 or above.
A 750 credit score is considered excellent on commonly used FICO and VantageScore scales, which range from 300 to 850. The exception is if you are new to credit because a high score isn't always enough. The length of your credit history and how much debt you carry relative to your income also matter.
For a score with a range between 300 and 850, a credit score of 700 or above is generally considered good. A score of 800 or above on the same range is considered to be excellent. Most consumers have credit scores that fall between 600 and 750. In 2022, the average FICO® Score☉ in the U.S. reached 714.
Data from April 2023 found that about 1.7% of people who meet the minimum requirements for a FICO® Score had an 850. That's an increase from previous years, but still a small minority of people.
The average FICO credit score in the US is 718, according to the latest FICO data from April 2023. The average VantageScore is 701 as of January 2024. Credit scores, which are like a grade for your borrowing history, fall in the range of 300 to 850. The higher your score, the better.
Only about 1 in 6 American consumers has a FICO credit score of 800 or higher. A FICO score in the mid-700s is generally considered good enough for the best rates and terms from lenders, but those with 800+ scores do have some things in common.
It depends on the type of mortgage you're seeking: Many loans vary when it comes to the credit score needed to qualify. Generally speaking, you'll likely need a score of at least 620 — what's classified as a “fair” rating — to qualify with most lenders.
However, with a 723 credit score, you should qualify for rates on-par with national averages. Also, even though your score qualifies you for a mortgage, it's important to know that the lower your score is, the stronger the rest of your qualifications are generally expected to be.
What is a good credit score to buy a car?
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.
The credit score required and other eligibility factors for buying a car vary by lender and loan terms. 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.
"For years, there has been a lot of confusion among consumers over which credit scores matter. While there are many types of credit scores, FICO Scores matter the most because the majority of lenders use these scores to decide whether to approve loan applicants and at what interest rates."
Age Bracket | 2022 |
---|---|
18–25 | 679 (Good) |
26–41 | 687 (Good) |
42–57 | 706 (Good) |
58–76 | 742 (Very Good) |
While older models of credit scores used to go as high as 900, you can no longer achieve a 900 credit score. The highest score you can receive today is 850. Anything above 800 is considered an excellent credit score.
Generally speaking, borrowers with credit scores of 760 or higher get charged the lowest interest rates. On conventional conforming loans, which must adhere to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines, a 780 may qualify you for a slightly lower rate—though it depends on your down payment amount.
What is a bad FICO credit score? A bad FICO credit score may fall in the fair or poor FICO range. FICO considers a credit score to be fair if it's between 580 and 669, and poor if it's below 580. According to FICO, borrowers with a FICO score in a lower range tend to be viewed as a credit risk.
Based on data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the U.S. Census Bureau (based on 2022 and 2021 data respectively), it can be calculated that each American household carries an average of $7,951 in credit card debt in a year.
- Check your credit reports on a regular basis to track your progress.
- Sign up for free credit monitoring.
- Figure out how much money you owe.
- Set up autopay, so you never forget to make a credit card payment.
- Pay twice a month.
- Negotiate a lower interest rate.
Only a little over 20% of consumers ever earn a score of 800 or higher. Why? People with 800 credit scores use credit differently than the vast majority of credit users. Sure, they do some of the same things you do: never miss a payment, try to keep their credit utilization low, and scan their credit report for errors.
How much of a home loan can I get with a 800 credit score?
You can borrow over $100,000 with an 800 credit score if you get a mortgage or a home equity loan. Keep in mind, the exact amount of money you will get depends on other factors in addition to your credit score, such as your income, your employment status and even the lender.
An 800 credit score shows lenders you are an exceptional borrower. You may qualify for better mortgage and auto loan terms with a high credit score. You may also qualify for credit cards with better rewards and perks, such as access to airport lounges and free hotel breakfasts.
Conventional loan | Credit score: 620
To qualify for a conventional loan, you'll need a credit score of at least 620, though some lenders may choose to approve conventional mortgage applications only for borrowers with credit scores of 680 and up.
Your credit score is crucial to determine your eligibility for a no down payment car loan. Most lenders require a FICO credit score of at least 680 before you can qualify. If your credit score falls below 680, improve your credit score before you apply to help you qualify in the future.
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans need at least a 580 FICO Score with at least a 3.5% down payment (which amounts to $10,500 on a $300,000 home). Conventional loans require a minimum FICO® Score of 620 along with a 3% down payment (which amounts to $9,000 on a $300,000 home).
References
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/ratioanalysis.asp
- https://www.cuemath.com/ratio-analysis-formula/
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/income-considered-middle-class-2024-160007340.html
- https://www.ally.com/stories/save/how-to-measure-your-personal-financial-health/
- https://www.goalry.com/blog/financial-milestones-based-on-age
- https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/what-credit-score-do-you-need-to-buy-a-house/
- https://www.hdfclife.com/insurance-knowledge-centre/investment-for-future-planning/signs-that-you-are-financially-stable
- https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/five-key-financial-ratios-stock-analysis
- https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/banks/articles/heres-what-happens-when-you-have-more-than-250000-in-savings/
- https://fortune.com/2023/10/27/americans-sinking-debt-household-expenses-grow-income-new-poll-economy-ap-norc/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_upper_class
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/banking/guide-to-50-30-20-budget/
- https://www.unfcu.org/financial-wellness/50-30-20-rule/
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/6-ways-tell-middle-class-174814986.html
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/banking/budget-calculator/
- https://www.capitalone.com/learn-grow/money-management/what-is-a-bad-credit-score/
- https://pressbooks.pub/introductiontofinancialanalysis/chapter/7-9-some-limitations-of-financial-ratios/
- https://www.ourgrovecu.com/the-four-pillars-of-financial-health/
- https://www.empower.com/the-currency/life/average-net-worth-by-age
- https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/1212/average-net-worth-of-the-1.aspx
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/financial-health.asp
- https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/buying-stocks/articles/i-have-100000-in-retirement-savings-and-im-30-years-old-am-i-all-set/
- https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/accounting/financial-ratios/
- https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/07/52-percent-need-a-six-figure-salary-to-be-financially-comfortable.html
- https://www.livenowfox.com/news/americans-behind-monthly-bills-money-survey
- https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/california-living-wage-single-person-18340966.php
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/is-800-a-good-credit-score-heres-what-it-means/
- https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/nearly-30-americans-behind-debt-payments-largest-metros-study
- https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/education/credit-score/900-credit-score
- https://www.investopedia.com/personal-finance/how-conduct-financial-checkup/
- https://www.kubera.com/blog/high-net-worth-low-income
- https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/24/how-much-money-americans-have-in-savings.html
- https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/accounting/profitability-ratios/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/average-credit-score
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/wealthy-net-worth-considered-poor-190014440.html
- https://www.bdc.ca/en/articles-tools/money-finance/manage-finances/financial-ratios-what-are-how-use
- https://cfoallianceinc.com/blog/build-strong-balance-sheet/
- https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/credit-cards/what-is-the-average-credit-card-debt/
- https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/coping-with-financial-stress.htm
- https://www.thetimes.co.uk/money-mentor/income-budgeting/how-to-budget/seven-simple-ways-to-give-your-finances-a-health-check
- https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/personal-finance/articles/does-your-income-make-you-upper-class-middle-class-or-lower-class/
- https://www.quora.com/What-is-financial-status
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-audit-your-personal-finances-arfy-majeed
- https://www.business-planning-for-managers.com/main-courses/finance/financial-ratios/stability-ratios/
- https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/blog/profile-850-fico-score
- https://njaes.rutgers.edu/sshw/message/message.php?p=Finance&m=133
- https://www.datarails.com/5-key-financial-ratios/
- https://www.cubesoftware.com/blog/financial-ratios
- https://www.reuters.com/world/us/what-age-should-kids-become-financially-independent-2023-08-29/
- https://gocardless.com/en-us/guides/posts/what-is-a-liquidity-ratio/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/750-credit-score
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/income-fall-americas-lower-middle-122100515.html
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/know-im-rich-140000452.html
- https://www.phocassoftware.com/resources/blog/important-financial-ratios-for-your-company
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/currentratio.asp
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/income-level-considered-rich-140003986.html
- https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/signs-you-are-financially-stable/
- https://wallethub.com/answers/pl/how-much-can-i-borrow-with-a-800-credit-score-1000508-2140806885/
- https://gocardless.com/guides/posts/top-7-financial-ratios/
- https://time.com/personal-finance/article/what-credit-score-do-i-need-to-buy-a-house/
- https://www.creditkarma.com/advice/i/quick-tips-build-credit
- https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/research/average-american-time-personal-finance/
- https://stellarfi.com/answer/what-credit-score-is-needed-to-buy-a-300k-house
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/financial-health
- https://www.joshuakennon.com/1821745-households-in-the-united-states-have-investment-portfolios-worth-3000000-or-more/
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/only-1-in-10-americans-are-living-their-definition-of-financial-freedom-achieve-survey-finds-301906121.html
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/rich-heres-americans-think-considered-182847861.html
- https://www.toppr.com/guides/accountancy/accounting-ratios/liquidity-ratios/
- https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/3-financial-statements-to-measure-companys-strength
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/financial_distress.asp
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/credit-card-debt-how-to-pay-off/
- https://ssti.org/blog/large-percentage-americans-report-they%E2%80%99re-struggling-make-ends-meet
- https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/062215/what-are-financial-risk-ratios-and-how-are-they-used-measure-risk.asp
- https://www.prosper.com/blog/how-to-give-yourself-a-financial-checkup
- https://drexel.edu/hunger-free-center/research/briefs-and-reports/financial-health/
- https://www.moneygeek.com/credit-cards/analysis/average-credit-score-by-age/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/what-is-the-average-credit-score-by-age-and-what-is-a-good-score-for-my-age
- https://byjus.com/commerce/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-ratio-analysis/
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/americans-savings-stack-2023-vs-140023973.html
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/americans-average-net-worth-by-age/
- https://www.upstart.com/credit-score/723-credit-score
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/half-the-share-of-the-wealthiest-americans-now-live-paycheck-to-paycheck-301516467.html
- https://fortune.com/2024/02/01/emergency-1000-expense-most-americans-broke-debt-bankrate/
- https://www.investopedia.com/800-plus-credit-score-how-to-make-the-most-of-it-4685008
- https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/fico-scores-vs-credit-scores
- https://www.lendingtree.com/debt-consolidation/paycheck-to-paycheck-survey/
- https://www.chase.com/personal/banking/education/budgeting-saving/how-much-income-should-go-to-rent
- https://wtop.com/business-finance/2021/07/what-people-with-800-credit-scores-have-in-common/
- https://www.aia.com/en/health-wellness/healthy-living/healthy-finances/Financial-literacy-fundamental
- https://www.wsj.com/buyside/personal-finance/mortgage-rates-by-credit-score-287bb3d8
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/credit-education/score-basics/what-is-a-good-credit-score/
- https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/09/salary-americans-need-to-feel-financially-secure.html
- https://money.com/average-american-personal-debt-amount/
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/banking/living-paycheck-to-paycheck-statistics-2024/
- https://finhealthnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Pulse-Trends-Report-2022.pdf
- https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/what-income-do-you-need-to-be-financially-stable-heres-what-most-americans-say
- https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/home-equity-net-worth/
- https://www.creditstrong.com/how-to-get-an-800-credit-score/
- https://scripbox.com/pf/types-of-ratio-analysis/
- https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/what-should-your-net-worth-be-in-your-30s
- https://www.lendingtree.com/auto/what-credit-score-is-needed-to-buy-a-car/
- https://ofdollarsanddata.com/what-is-considered-rich/
- https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/accounting/limitations-ratio-analysis/
- https://www.investopedia.com/what-credit-score-do-you-need-to-buy-a-car-5181034
- https://www.creditkarma.com/about/commentary/americans-say-their-financial-situation-worsened-in-2023-what-will-2024-bring
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/auto-loans/no-down-payment-cars/
- https://www.ethanhathaway.com/blog/3-important-financial-ratios-every-business-manager-know/
- https://www.debt.org/retirement/what-age-should-i-start-saving-money/
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/assessing-companys-financial-health-bernard-kipkemoi
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/stocks/06/ratios.asp
- https://www.investmentnews.com/retirement/news/land-of-the-financially-free-not-according-to-most-americans-241481
- https://ktla.com/news/california/this-is-how-much-you-need-to-earn-to-live-comfortably-in-california/
- https://smartasset.com/career/what-should-my-net-worth-be-at-35
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/retire-45-3-million-140043549.html