What Is the Average FICO Score — And Where Do You Stand?

The average FICO score in the U.S. is 713 as of 2025. That puts most Americans in the "good" range but it also marks the first annual decline since 2013. Around 70% of Americans have a score of 670 or higher. If you're wondering where you fit, here's the full picture.

Average FICO Score by Age Group

Scores climb steadily with age. Not because age is a direct scoring factor — it isn't — but because older borrowers accumulate longer credit histories, more account types, and more consistent payment records over time.

Gen Z saw the sharpest decline — down 3 points from 2024. Millennials dropped 2 points. Gen X held flat. Baby Boomers actually gained a point.

Why Scores Rise With Age

The length of your credit history makes up 15% of your FICO score. Every year an account stays open, that factor quietly improves. Older borrowers also tend to carry a fuller credit mix mortgages, auto loans, credit cards — which counts for another 10%.

Younger adults often have thin credit files: fewer accounts, shorter history, less variety. That alone keeps scores lower even when payment habits are solid.

Why Younger Generations Dropped in 2025

Economic pressure hit younger borrowers harder. Continued inflation, rising unemployment, and the end of the SAVE student loan repayment program — which raised monthly payments for roughly 8 million borrowers — landed disproportionately on Gen Z and Millennials.

Baby Boomers, by contrast, generally carry paid-off or near-paid-off mortgages, fewer dependents, and more financial cushion to absorb shocks.

Average FICO Score by State

Where you live doesn't directly affect your score. But regional economic conditions shape the behaviors that do.

Louisiana saw the steepest drop — 4 points. Illinois, Maine, and Vermont were the only states where scores held flat. No state saw an increase. Still, scores in every state remain higher than they were in 2020.

FICO Score Ranges: What the Numbers Mean

The base FICO Score 8 runs from 300 to 850. Here's how lenders generally read those numbers:

The national average of 713 sits in the "good" range close to the top of it. What's interesting is what's happening at the extremes. The share of Americans with exceptional scores (800–850) hit an all-time high of 22.8% in 2025. At the same time, the share in the poor range grew to 14.7%, up from 13.2% in 2024. The middle is thinning out.

How Americans Are Distributed Across Score Ranges

Source: Experian, September 2025

What Makes Up a FICO Score

Five factors. They're not weighted equally.

Payment history matters most. One missed payment can leave a mark that takes months to recover from. Amounts owed specifically credit utilization is the second-biggest lever, and it's one you can move quickly.

What's often overlooked: consumers with exceptional scores (800+) tend to keep utilization well below 10%, not the commonly cited 30% threshold. The 30% figure is roughly where utilization starts to hurt your score. Staying well below it is what pushes scores into the top tier.

FICO Score vs. VantageScore: Quick Clarification

You'll sometimes see different average figures cited — 713 from Experian (FICO), 698 from VantageScore. These are two separate scoring models with different factor weightings.

Most mortgage lenders use FICO. Many credit card issuers and free monitoring tools use VantageScore. If you're preparing for a major loan, it's worth knowing which model your lender pulls.

What the Average FICO Score Means for Borrowing

A score of 713 is acceptable to most lenders. But there's a real gap between "acceptable" and "best available rate."

Mortgages

Most conventional mortgage lenders require a minimum score around 620. FHA loans can go lower. But the rate you receive depends heavily on where your score falls. In practice, borrowers with scores above 760 consistently qualify for the lowest available mortgage rates, as tracked by data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. The difference between a 680 and a 760 score can translate to tens of thousands of dollars in interest over a 30-year loan.

Auto Loans

Lenders tier auto loan rates by credit score. Borrowers in the good range (670–739) generally qualify but pay notably higher rates than those in the very good or exceptional tier. Subprime auto loans — typically for scores below 580 — carry significantly higher rates and stricter terms.

Credit Cards

Entry-level and secured cards are accessible to most score ranges. Rewards cards with meaningful sign-up bonuses and travel perks typically require 670 or above. Premium cards — those with higher rewards rates and travel benefits — generally require 740 or higher for approval.

Why the Average FICO Score Declined in 2025

The national average fell two points in 2025 — the first drop since 2013. As reported by CNBC, the resumption of federal student loan delinquency reporting — after a multi-year pandemic pause — was a key contributing factor, alongside rising credit card balances and increasing missed payments across other debt types.

The decline isn't dramatic. But it reversed a long upward trend, and the widening gap between high and low scorers suggests the pressure isn't distributed evenly.

Average credit utilization held steady at 29% for the second consecutive year — meaning overspending on cards isn't the primary driver. The pressure is showing up elsewhere: delinquencies on mortgages and auto loans both increased in 2025.

How to Improve Your Average FICO Score From Any Starting Point

If Your Score Is in the Poor Range (300–579)

Start with payment history. Set up autopay for every account, even minimums. Then look at your credit utilization — if balances are near or above credit limits, paying those down will show results faster than almost anything else. Avoid applying for new credit while rebuilding.

If Your Score Is in the Fair Range (580–669)

The jump from fair to good is mostly about consistency. Pay on time for 12 consecutive months and watch your utilization. Check your credit report for errors — dispute anything inaccurate with the relevant bureau. Time matters here: there's no shortcut past a thin or young credit file.

Also Read: gomyfinance.com create budget

If Your Score Is in the Good Range (670–739)

You're above the national average FICO score threshold for most products. To push higher, lower your utilization closer to 10% rather than 30%. Avoid closing old accounts, especially ones with high limits — that reduces available credit and shortens your average account age. Keep applications spaced out.

If You're Targeting Very Good or Exceptional (740+)

At this stage, small moves matter. Keep every account current, utilization low, and resist opening new credit unnecessarily. Borrowers with exceptional scores typically have long, diverse credit histories and utilization under 10%. There's no trick — it's mostly consistency compounding over time.

Conclusion

The average FICO score of 713 reflects a country where most people have usable credit but few have optimized it. Age, location, and economic conditions all shape the landscape — but your individual score comes down to the same five factors it always has. Payment history and utilization move the needle most. Everything else follows from time and consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 713 a good FICO score?

Yes. A 713 FICO score falls in the "good" range (670–739) and is close to the national average. It qualifies for most credit products, though the best rates on mortgages and auto loans typically require 740 or higher.

What is a good FICO score for buying a house?

Most conventional lenders require a minimum of 620. To access the lowest mortgage rates, most borrowers need a score of 760 or above. FHA loans may allow scores as low as 500 with a larger down payment.

Does checking your own FICO score lower it?

No. Checking your own credit is a soft inquiry and does not affect your score. Only hard inquiries — from lenders when you apply for credit — can cause a small, temporary dip.

What is the difference between FICO Score 8 and other versions?

FICO has released multiple score versions. FICO Score 8 is the most widely used by general lenders. Mortgage lenders often use older versions (FICO 2, 4, or 5). The scoring logic is similar across versions, but the specific weighting and treatment of certain factors can vary.

How often does a FICO score update?

Your FICO score updates whenever your lender or creditor reports new information to the credit bureaus — typically once a month. Changes to balances, payment status, or new accounts can shift your score within a billing cycle.