The average American credit score is 713, based on FICO® Score 8 data from Experian at the end of 2025. That number puts the typical U.S. borrower inside the "good" credit range but it's also two points lower than the year before, which matters more than it first sounds.
The Average American Credit Score Is 713
Here's the short version: 713 is where most of the country lands when you average everyone together. Discover, citing FICO directly, reported a slightly higher figure of 715 earlier in 2026.
The two numbers are close enough that they tell the same story the typical American is a "good" credit risk, not an exceptional one.
What's worth pausing on is the direction. The 2-point drop from 2024 to 2025 marked the first annual decline in the national average since 2013, as reported by CNBC.
That's more than a decade of either gains or flat years, broken in a single 12-month window. In practice, lenders watch shifts like this closely even small movements at the national level often reflect broader pressure on household budgets.
Snapshot: Current U.S. Average Credit Score
|
Metric |
Value |
Source Reference |
|
Average FICO® Score 8 (late 2025) |
713 |
Experian aggregate data |
|
Average FICO® Score (April 2025) |
715 |
FICO via Discover reporting |
|
Year-over-year change |
−2 points |
First decline since 2013 |
|
Score band |
"Good" (670–739) |
FICO® Score 8 model |
Where 713 Falls on the FICO® Score Scale
FICO® Score 8 the model most commonly cited when people talk about "credit scores" runs from 300 to 850. It's split into five bands.
|
FICO® Score Range |
Rating |
|
300–579 |
Poor |
|
580–669 |
Fair |
|
670–739 |
Good |
|
740–799 |
Very Good |
|
800–850 |
Exceptional |
A 713 sits firmly inside "Good," but notice how close it is to the lower edge. The typical American is roughly 27 points away from "Very Good" and another 87 points from "Exceptional."
That gap matters because lender pricing interest rates, credit limits, approval odds tends to improve in tiers, not gradually.
How Americans Are Distributed Across Credit Score Ranges
The headline average hides something interesting. Most consumers (around 70%) actually score 670 or higher, which is better than the average alone suggests. But the share of people at both extremes is growing.
|
FICO® Score Range |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Poor (300–579) |
13.2% |
14.7% |
|
Fair (580–669) |
15.5% |
14.9% |
|
Good (670–739) |
21.0% |
20.1% |
|
Very Good (740–799) |
27.8% |
27.5% |
|
Exceptional (800–850) |
22.5% |
22.8% |
So more Americans are slipping into the "Poor" range and more are climbing into "Exceptional."
The middle is thinning slightly. Industry analysts have started calling this a "K-shape" fewer people in the middle, more at both ends. Whether that pattern holds is something to watch in 2026.
Average American Credit Score by Age
Age and credit scores are tied together for a simple reason credit history length is one of the scoring factors, and older borrowers usually have more of it.
Younger generations took the biggest hit in the most recent data, and according to Fortune, the share of Americans whose scores fell by 50 or more points was significantly higher among those aged 18–29 than the broader population.
Average Credit Score by Generation (FICO® Score 8)
|
Generation |
Age Range (2025) |
2024 |
2025 |
Change |
|
Generation Z |
18–28 |
681 |
678 |
−3 |
|
Millennials |
29–44 |
691 |
689 |
−2 |
|
Generation X |
45–60 |
709 |
709 |
0 |
|
Baby Boomers |
61–79 |
746 |
747 |
+1 |
|
Silent Generation |
80+ |
760 |
760 |
0 |
Chase, using a different age-decade breakdown, reports broadly similar patterns:
|
Age Group |
Average Credit Score |
|
20s |
662 |
|
30s |
672 |
|
40s |
684 |
|
50s |
706 |
|
60+ |
749 |
Two things stand out.
First, baby boomers actually gained a point while everyone younger held flat or lost ground.
Second, even the lowest-scoring generation (Gen Z at 678) still lands in the "Good" band.
That's not nothing. Most younger borrowers are still considered acceptable credit risks they just have less room before a slip costs them.
Why scores tend to rise with age is straightforward in practice. Longer credit history, more paid-down debt, a wider mix of account types, and for many older borrowers paid-off mortgages and lower monthly obligations.
The same lifetime financial decisions that shape how high earners build long-term income also tend to shape stronger credit profiles. Teams analyzing consumer credit data commonly point to credit history length as the single quietest, most reliable driver of higher scores over time.
Average American Credit Score by State
Geography matters more than people expect. The gap between the highest-scoring state and the lowest is over 60 points enough to move someone two full score tiers.
Highest average credit scores (2025):
- Minnesota: 741
- Vermont: 737
- Wisconsin: 737
- New Hampshire: 735
- Washington: 734
Lowest average credit scores (2025):
- Mississippi: 677
- Louisiana: 686
- Alabama: 689
- Georgia: 692
- Texas: 692
Full state-by-state breakdown (FICO® Score 8, Experian data):
|
State |
2024 |
2025 |
Change |
|
Alabama |
692 |
689 |
−3 |
|
Alaska |
722 |
720 |
−2 |
|
Arizona |
712 |
709 |
−3 |
|
Arkansas |
695 |
693 |
−2 |
|
California |
722 |
721 |
−1 |
|
Colorado |
731 |
729 |
−2 |
|
Connecticut |
726 |
724 |
−2 |
|
Delaware |
714 |
713 |
−1 |
|
District of Columbia |
715 |
711 |
−4 |
|
Florida |
707 |
704 |
−3 |
|
Georgia |
695 |
692 |
−3 |
|
Hawaii |
732 |
730 |
−2 |
|
Idaho |
730 |
729 |
−1 |
|
Illinois |
720 |
720 |
0 |
|
Indiana |
712 |
710 |
−2 |
|
Iowa |
730 |
728 |
−2 |
|
Kansas |
722 |
720 |
−2 |
|
Kentucky |
705 |
704 |
−1 |
|
Louisiana |
690 |
686 |
−4 |
|
Maine |
731 |
731 |
0 |
|
Maryland |
715 |
714 |
−1 |
|
Massachusetts |
732 |
731 |
−1 |
|
Michigan |
719 |
717 |
−2 |
|
Minnesota |
742 |
741 |
−1 |
|
Mississippi |
680 |
677 |
−3 |
|
Missouri |
714 |
712 |
−2 |
|
Montana |
732 |
730 |
−2 |
|
Nebraska |
731 |
728 |
−3 |
|
Nevada |
701 |
699 |
−2 |
|
New Hampshire |
736 |
735 |
−1 |
|
New Jersey |
724 |
722 |
−2 |
|
New Mexico |
702 |
701 |
−1 |
|
New York |
721 |
719 |
−2 |
|
North Carolina |
709 |
707 |
−2 |
|
North Dakota |
733 |
730 |
−3 |
|
Ohio |
716 |
713 |
−3 |
|
Oklahoma |
696 |
693 |
−3 |
|
Oregon |
732 |
730 |
−2 |
|
Pennsylvania |
722 |
720 |
−2 |
|
Rhode Island |
721 |
719 |
−2 |
|
South Carolina |
700 |
699 |
−1 |
|
South Dakota |
734 |
731 |
−3 |
|
Tennessee |
706 |
703 |
−3 |
|
Texas |
695 |
692 |
−3 |
|
Utah |
730 |
728 |
−2 |
|
Vermont |
737 |
737 |
0 |
|
Virginia |
723 |
721 |
−2 |
|
Washington |
735 |
734 |
−1 |
|
West Virginia |
702 |
699 |
−3 |
|
Wisconsin |
738 |
737 |
−1 |
|
Wyoming |
725 |
722 |
−3 |
Louisiana and Washington, D.C. saw the steepest drops at 4 points each. Only three states — Illinois, Maine, and Vermont held steady. No state actually increased.
FICO® Score vs. VantageScore: Why "Average" Can Differ
When you check your credit score, what you see depends on which model is doing the math. FICO® and VantageScore both rate creditworthiness on a 300–850 scale, but they weigh the inputs differently.
|
Factor |
FICO® Weight |
VantageScore Weight |
|
Payment history |
35% |
40% |
|
Amounts owed / credit used |
30% |
20% |
|
Length of credit history |
15% |
21% (age and type of credit) |
|
Credit mix |
10% |
— (included above) |
|
New credit / recent behavior |
10% |
5% |
|
Total balances/debt |
— |
11% |
|
Available credit |
— |
3% |
In practice, most people see slightly different numbers across the two models sometimes by 20 to 40 points. That's normal.
The two scores rarely agree to the digit, and lenders typically rely on one or the other depending on the product. Mortgage lenders, for example, often pull older FICO versions specifically.
What's Driving Changes in the Average
A 2-point national drop doesn't happen for one reason. A few patterns line up.
Credit utilization is holding steady
The average American is using about 29% of their available credit same as the year before. That's slightly under the commonly cited 30% threshold, where utilization starts pulling scores down more noticeably.
|
FICO® Score Range |
Average Credit Utilization |
|
Poor (300–579) |
79% |
|
Fair (580–669) |
61% |
|
Good (670–739) |
39% |
|
Very Good (740–799) |
15% |
|
Exceptional (800–850) |
7% |
What's often overlooked is how steep the utilization curve is between bands. The jump from "Good" to "Very Good" isn't subtle average utilization roughly halves. Consumers with the highest scores tend to keep balances well below 10% of their limits.
Delinquency rates are mixed
Some debts are seeing more missed payments. Others, fewer.
|
Account Type |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Credit card |
2.45% |
2.40% |
2.31% |
|
Mortgage |
1.88% |
2.24% |
2.45% |
|
Auto loans |
3.51% |
3.68% |
3.78% |
|
Personal loans (unsecured) |
3.89% |
3.86% |
3.76% |
Auto loan and mortgage delinquencies are climbing small numbers, but the direction is what matters. Credit card and personal loan delinquencies are flat to slightly down. That pattern suggests household stress is showing up most in the bigger fixed obligations.
Broader economic pressure
Rejection rates on new credit applications hit record highs in 2025, according to consumer survey data cited by Experian.
Student loan repayment changes particularly the wind-down of the SAVE income-based plan have added monthly obligations for millions of borrowers.
None of these factors alone explains a 2-point national average drop. Together, they form the backdrop.
How to Compare Your Score Against the Average
The national average is a useful reference point, but it's not the only one. Your score's meaning depends on context.
If your score is at or above 713
You're in line with the typical American borrower or better. Most consumer credit products credit cards, auto loans, mortgages will be available to you, though the most competitive rates usually require 740 or higher.
In practice, the difference between a 713 and a 760 can translate to meaningfully lower interest costs over the life of a loan the kind of long-run financial gap that compounds over time, similar to the financial outcomes seen across high-profile earners whose wealth trajectories hinge on small recurring decisions.
If your score is below 713
You're not locked out of credit most lenders work with borrowers across the full "Fair" and "Good" range but you'll likely see higher rates, lower limits, or stricter terms. The gap is closable.
Most of what moves a score upward is mechanical: on-time payments, lower utilization, and time.
Also Read: How Did Adrian Portelli Make His Money
Compare by age and state, not just nationally
A 700 score at age 25 looks different than a 700 at age 65. A 700 in Mississippi puts you well above the state average; the same 700 in Minnesota puts you below it. Personal benchmarks usually beat the national one.
How to Move Toward or Past the Average
There's no shortcut, but the levers are well understood.Pay every bill on time. Payment history is the single biggest factor at 35% of your FICO® Score. One missed payment can stay on your report for years.
Keep utilization under 30% ideally under 10%. If your card has a $10,000 limit, try to keep balances under $3,000. Borrowers with exceptional scores tend to stay under $1,000 on the same limit.
Don't close old credit cards unless you have a reason. The age of your accounts contributes to your score. A 15-year-old card you barely use is quietly working for you.
Apply for new credit sparingly. Every application triggers a hard inquiry, which can pull your score down a few points temporarily. Cluster of inquiries in a short window can do more damage.
Maintain a reasonable credit mix. Having both revolving credit (cards) and installment credit (auto loan, mortgage) helps, though this matters less than the other factors.
Understanding the financial profile behind major consumer brands is a reminder that diversified financial behavior across both income and credit usually outperforms concentration over time.
Dispute errors on your credit report. Mistakes happen wrong balances, accounts that aren't yours, paid debts still showing open. Credit bureaus are required to investigate disputes and remove confirmed errors.
In practice, organisations that monitor consumer credit improvement commonly find that the biggest gains come from the boring, repeatable habits consistency matters more than any single tactic.
Conclusion
The average American credit score is 713 "good," but two points lower than 2024 and the first decline in over a decade.
Where you stand depends on your age, state, and habits more than the headline number. Steady payment history and low utilization remain the most reliable path forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 713 a good credit score?
Yes. A 713 sits inside the FICO® "Good" range (670–739) and indicates a reliable borrower. It's not "Very Good" yet that starts at 740 but most lenders will approve standard credit products at this level with reasonable terms.
What is the average credit score by age?
Roughly: 20s around 662, 30s around 672, 40s around 684, 50s around 706, and 60+ around 749. Generation Z averages 678 and baby boomers average 747. Scores generally rise with age as credit history lengthens.
Which state has the highest average credit score?
Minnesota leads at 741, followed closely by Vermont and Wisconsin at 737, and New Hampshire at 735. Northern Plains and New England states tend to dominate the top of the rankings.
Why did the average credit score drop in 2025?
It fell 2 points to 713 the first annual decline since 2013. Rising delinquencies on auto loans and mortgages, student loan repayment changes, and higher rejection rates on new credit applications all contributed.
How can I raise my credit score above the national average?
Pay on time every month, keep credit card balances under 30% of your limit (under 10% is ideal), keep older accounts open, and avoid applying for several new lines of credit at once. Time and consistency do most of the work.
