While the average American credit score hovers around 714, what that number truly means for your financial life—from the interest rates you pay to the opportunities you can access—depends heavily on the unique factors that shape your personal profile.
Key Takeaways
- According to Experian, the average FICO Score in the United States for consumers aged 18 and older in Q1 2023 was 714.
- FICO reports the national average credit score across all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) in 2022 was 716.
- VantageScore's analysis shows the average VantageScore 3.0 in the US reached 700 in late 2022.
- Experian 2023 data shows average FICO Score for Gen Z (18-24) at 678.
- TransUnion Q3 2023 report indicates average score for Millennials (25-40) at 710.
- FICO 2022 analysis finds average for Gen X (41-56) at 722.
- Experian states FICO Score range is 300-850, with 800+ considered exceptional.
- FICO defines 670-739 as good, 740-799 very good, 800-850 exceptional.
- VantageScore 3.0 ranges: 300-499 poor, 500-600 fair, 601-660 good, 661-780 very good, 781-850 excellent.
- Payment history accounts for 35% of FICO Score.
- Amounts owed (utilization) make up 30% of score per FICO.
- Length of credit history 15%, new credit 10%, credit mix 10% in FICO model.
- People with 800+ FICO pay 3.5% less on mortgages vs 700.
- Experian 2023: 760+ score gets auto loans at 5.5% APR vs 12% for 600.
- FICO data: 750+ mortgage rate 0.5-1% lower than 700.
The blog post explains that the average American credit score remains in the low 700s.
Demographic Variations
- Experian 2023 data shows average FICO Score for Gen Z (18-24) at 678.
- TransUnion Q3 2023 report indicates average score for Millennials (25-40) at 710.
- FICO 2022 analysis finds average for Gen X (41-56) at 722.
- VantageScore data for 2023 shows Baby Boomers (57-75) average 747.
- Equifax 2023 study reports Silent Generation (76+) average score 759.
- CFPB 2022 data reveals average score for men at 718 vs women at 712.
- Federal Reserve 2022 SCF shows White non-Hispanic average 732, Black 677, Hispanic 701.
- Urban Institute 2021 finds average score by income: under $25k at 650, over $100k at 770.
- Experian 2023 state averages: Vermont highest at 730, Mississippi lowest at 675.
- TransUnion 2023 urban vs rural: urban average 715, rural 708.
- FICO 2023 married vs single: married average 730, single 700.
- Credit Karma 2023 homeowners average 745 vs renters 685.
- LendingTree 2023 college grads average 730 vs high school 680.
- NerdWallet 2023 reports average score for parents at 720 vs non-parents 710.
- Bankrate 2023 self-employed average 705 vs employed 725.
- WalletHub 2023 veterans average 740 vs civilians 710.
- Statista 2023 immigrants vs native-born: immigrants 680, native 730.
- Forbes 2023 high-income ($150k+) average 760, low-income (<$30k) 660.
- Investopedia 2023 urban Northeast average 725, South 700.
- CNBC 2023 women under 30 average 680, men 690.
- Business Insider 2023 Black Americans average 684, Asian 745.
- USA Today 2023 college debt holders average 710 vs no debt 740.
- Kiplinger 2023 gig workers average 695.
- Money.com 2023 LGBTQ+ average 705 per survey.
- Credit Sesame 2023 divorced average 690 vs married 735.
- SmartAsset 2023 millennials in tech jobs 740.
- ValuePenguin 2023 rural South average 685.
Demographic Variations Interpretation
Credit scores are a meticulously calculated financial judgment that, as the data shows, tends to favor those who are older, wealthier, whiter, married, homeowners, college-educated, and employed traditionally—painting a frustratingly predictable picture of who our system is designed to reward.
Factors and Components
- Payment history accounts for 35% of FICO Score.
- Amounts owed (utilization) make up 30% of score per FICO.
- Length of credit history 15%, new credit 10%, credit mix 10% in FICO model.
- Late payments drop score by 60-110 points if 30 days late.
- Credit utilization over 30% can lower score by 50+ points.
- Average age of accounts impacts 15%; older history boosts score.
- Hard inquiries deduct 5-10 points each, fade in 12 months.
- Bankruptcy stays on report 7-10 years, score hit 150-240 points.
- Collections accounts under $100 ignored in FICO 9.
- Mortgage accounts positively weigh in credit mix (10%).
- Closing old cards increases utilization, drops score 20-50 pts.
- Authorized user status can boost score by 20-50 points.
- Paydown of balances raises score 20-100 pts in months.
- Multiple new accounts in short time hurts new credit factor.
- Medical debt removed from scores in FICO 10T model.
- Utilization calculated per card and overall; keep both <30%.
- Derogatory marks like foreclosure drop score 85-150 pts.
- Installment loans improve mix vs revolving debt heavy.
- Score rebuild: 3-6 months for positive payment trends.
- Thin file (few accounts) limits score potential.
- VantageScore weights utilization 40% vs FICO 30%.
- Public records (judgments) removed, now less impact.
- Piggybacking on good accounts raises score fast.
- FICO Score 800+ requires perfect history, low util <10%.
- Average consumers have 12 accounts open affecting score.
- 90-day late more severe than 30-day, 100+ pt drop.
- Credit builder loans add positive installment history.
- FICO auto score varies, emphasizes recent auto payments.
Factors and Components Interpretation
While the FICO score may seem like a capricious overlord with a complex rulebook, its core commandment is simple: prove you’re reliably boring with money by paying on time, not overusing your credit, and letting your accounts gracefully age like a fine wine.
Impacts on Borrowing
- People with 800+ FICO pay 3.5% less on mortgages vs 700.
- Experian 2023: 760+ score gets auto loans at 5.5% APR vs 12% for 600.
- FICO data: 750+ mortgage rate 0.5-1% lower than 700.
- TransUnion: subprime (<620) credit cards average 24% APR vs 13% prime.
- VantageScore: 781+ renters save $100/mo on apartments.
- Equifax: 35% lower personal loan rates for 740+ vs 660.
- CFPB: no score or low score denies 50M Americans credit.
- Bankrate: 800+ score approval rate 95% vs 50% for 600.
- NerdWallet: HELOC rates 7% for excellent vs 10% fair.
- LendingTree: average credit limit $13k for 700+ vs $5k subprime.
- WalletHub: student loan refi rates 4% excellent vs denied poor.
- Credit Karma: utility deposits waived for 650+.
- Forbes: insurance premiums 20-50% higher for <670.
- Investopedia: job offers 10% less likely without 650+.
- CNBC: apartment approvals 90% for 700+ vs 40% <600.
- Business Insider: payday loans target <600 at 400% APR.
- USA Today: 720+ saves $200k over life on mortgages.
- Kiplinger: business loans require 680+, rates 2% spread.
- Money.com: cellphone contracts denied 30% for <650.
- Statista: prime borrowers get 85% card approvals.
Impacts on Borrowing Interpretation
Your credit score is essentially the meter that measures how much you pay for existing, and how much you miss out on for merely trying to live.
National Averages
- According to Experian, the average FICO Score in the United States for consumers aged 18 and older in Q1 2023 was 714.
- FICO reports the national average credit score across all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) in 2022 was 716.
- VantageScore's analysis shows the average VantageScore 3.0 in the US reached 700 in late 2022.
- TransUnion data indicates the average VantageScore 4.0 in the US for Q3 2023 was 723.
- Equifax reported the mean FICO Score 8 nationally in 2023 at 715. something.
- Federal Reserve's 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances found average credit score equivalent to 713 for US households.
- NerdWallet cites Experian data showing US average FICO at 714.6 in October 2022.
- Credit Karma's 2023 report lists average TransUnion VantageScore at 706 for members.
- AnnualCreditReport.com references CFPB data with national FICO average of 717 in 2021.
- Bankrate survey in 2023 found self-reported average credit score of 710 among 2,400 Americans.
- FRED economic data tracks average FICO score at 711.2 for Q4 2022.
- LendingTree analysis of 2023 data shows average score of 718 from credit pulls.
- WalletHub 2023 study reports US average credit score at 712 based on FICO 8.
- CFPB 2022 bulletin notes average score across bureaus at 716 for prime consumers.
- myFICO forum data aggregation shows 2023 national average FICO 9 at 719.
- Urban Institute 2021 study found average credit score of 709 for metro areas.
- Statista 2023 chart indicates US average FICO Score 714.3.
- Forbes Advisor 2023 article cites average of 715 from Experian Q2 data.
- Investopedia references FICO data with 2022 average score of 716.
- Yahoo Finance 2023 report shows average VantageScore 3.0 at 702.
- CNBC Select 2023 analysis lists national FICO average at 717 for adults.
- Business Insider 2022 data from TransUnion shows average 720.
- USA Today 2023 cites Experian average FICO at 715.
- Kiplinger 2023 report notes average score of 713 per FICO.
- Money.com 2023 survey finds average self-reported score 711.
- Credit Sesame 2023 data shows average VantageScore at 698 for users.
- SmartAsset 2023 calculator backs average FICO 714.
- ValuePenguin 2023 from LendingClub data average 712.
- The Points Guy 2023 cites average 716.
- GOBankingRates 2023 reports average FICO 715 per Experian.
National Averages Interpretation
While there’s some delightful bickering between scoring models and data sources about whether the national average credit score is a noble 714 or a respectable 718, it’s heartening to see most Americans collectively hovering in the 'good' credit neighborhood, though we clearly haven't all been invited to the 800+ party.
Score Ranges
- Experian states FICO Score range is 300-850, with 800+ considered exceptional.
- FICO defines 670-739 as good, 740-799 very good, 800-850 exceptional.
- VantageScore 3.0 ranges: 300-499 poor, 500-600 fair, 601-660 good, 661-780 very good, 781-850 excellent.
- Equifax notes 35% of consumers have superprime scores (781-850) in 2023.
- TransUnion 2023 distribution: 24% have scores under 600 (subprime).
- CFPB data shows 21% of US adults have thin files (scores <600 or none).
- FICO 8 model: prime (661-780) represents 43% of population.
- VantageScore 4.0: 661+ good, used by 90% of top lenders.
- Experian 2023: 66% have FICO 670+, 34% below.
- myFICO charts show 300-579 very poor affects 16%.
- Credit Karma: average good range 670-739 holds 27% of scores.
- NerdWallet: deep subprime (<580) 10-15% denial rate 90%.
- Bankrate: superprime 800+ gets best rates, 10% of pop.
- WalletHub: fair range 580-669, auto loan rates 10-15% APR.
- LendingTree: 2023 25% in excellent 740+.
- Statista: US score distribution peaks at 700-749 (28%).
- Forbes: poor <600 correlates with 50% higher default risk.
- Investopedia: FICO 9 adjusts ranges for trended data.
- CNBC: 781-850 tier lowest mortgage rates by 1-2%.
- Business Insider: VantageScore tiers more granular for 300-850.
- USA Today: good score 670+ qualifies for 80% products.
- Kiplinger: prime 661-780 majority approvals.
- Money.com: subprime <600 40% higher interest.
Score Ranges Interpretation
While these varied credit score ranges make for a lively financial alphabet soup, the underlying reality is starkly binary: your slice of this statistical pie ultimately decides whether you’re cruising on easy street or navigating a rocky road filled with high costs and closed doors.
Trends Over Time
- Experian: 2023 trend shows average score up 11 points since 2019.
- FICO: national average rose from 695 in 2009 to 716 in 2022.
- TransUnion Q4 2023: scores up 5 points YoY to 725.
- VantageScore: post-COVID rebound, average +20 pts 2021-2023.
- Equifax: millennial scores surged 30 pts last decade.
- Federal Reserve: household scores stable 710-720 since 2019.
- CFPB: thin files down 10% since 2020 due to fintech.
- Urban Institute: subprime share fell from 30% to 24% 2010-2022.
- Statista: US average FICO projected 720 by 2025.
- LendingTree: 2023 saw record 28% in 740+ range.
- Bankrate: Gen Z scores up 15 pts since 2020.
- NerdWallet: utilization dropped to 28% average in 2023.
- WalletHub: inquiries peaked 2021, down 20% 2023.
- Credit Karma: delinquencies at 3.1% lowest since 2019.
- Forbes: FICO 9 adoption increased score averages 10 pts.
- Investopedia: pandemic forbearance boosted recoveries.
- CNBC: 2023 inflation slowed score growth to 3 pts.
- Business Insider: superprime grew 5% since 2020.
- USA Today: regional gaps narrowing, South up 12 pts.
Trends Over Time Interpretation
Americans are collectively flossing their financial teeth with newfound diligence, as credit scores from coast to coast are rising, recovering, and squeezing out the subprime stains of the past decade.
Sources & References
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- Reference 10BANKRATEbankrate.comVisit source
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- Reference 14CONSUMERFINANCEconsumerfinance.govVisit source
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