A 500 credit score is in the bad credit score range. Your credit score determines whether you qualify for financial products, like credit cards and car loans, and what interest rate you might pay.
In April 2023, about 3% of Americans had a score lower than 500, according to credit scoring company FICO.
Here’s how a 500 credit score can affect your financial life.
When your score is 500, you'll have trouble qualifying for some financial products. You will have to pay the highest rates on loans and credit cards, and you may pay more for car insurance.
A 500 credit score falls into the bad range. You'll have trouble getting credit, but your score can recover. Amrita Jayakumar is a former staff writer at NerdWallet and, later, a freelance contributor to the site.
Your score falls within the range of scores, from 300 to 579, considered Very Poor. A 500 FICO® Score is significantly below the average credit score. Many lenders choose not to do business with borrowers whose scores fall in the Very Poor range, on grounds they have unfavorable credit.
It's possible to get a car loan with a credit score of 500, but it'll cost you. People with credit scores of 500 or lower received an average rate of 14.08% for new-car loans and 21.32% for used-car loans in the first quarter of 2023, according to the Experian State of the Automotive Finance Market report.
The time it takes to raise your credit score from 500 to 700 can vary widely depending on your individual financial situation. On average, it may take anywhere from 12 to 24 months of responsible credit management, including timely payments and reducing debt, to see a significant improvement in your credit score.
What is the average credit score? The average FICO credit score in the US is 717, according to the latest FICO data. 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.
It's exceedingly rare for anyone to have a credit score over 900, as most credit scoring models have a maximum limit of 850, and even achieving that score is uncommon.
The minimum credit score needed for most mortgages is typically around 620. However, government-backed mortgages like Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans typically have lower credit requirements than conventional fixed-rate loans and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs).
However, borrowers with 500 credit scores will have a better chance of approval with the following loan types: Secured personal loans: Secured personal loans require you to pledge collateral, such as a vehicle, savings account, collectible, piece of jewelry, or even the fixtures in your home.
Most used auto loans go to borrowers with minimum credit scores of at least 675. For new auto loans, most borrowers have scores of around 730. The minimum credit score needed for a new car may be around 600, but those with excellent credit often get lower rates and lower monthly payments.
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.
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.
What is the lowest credit score possible? Generally, credit scores range from 300 to 850, making 300 the lowest possible credit score. But it's important to note that you typically have more than one credit score. And they may differ depending on the credit-scoring company and when they were calculated.
Well, there are several credit score ranges. For instance, 780–850 may be considered "excellent" while 720–780 may be seen as "good." But when it comes to a range that may be seen as bad, a score between 300 (the lowest) and 660 fits into the “poor” category.
On the FICO® Score☉ 8 scale of 300 to 850, one of the credit scores lenders most frequently use, a bad credit score is one below 670. More specifically, a score between 580 and 669 is considered fair, and one between 300 and 579 is poor. The table below offers more detail on where scores fall.
Highlights: 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.
Introduction: My name is Errol Quitzon, I am a fair, cute, fancy, clean, attractive, sparkling, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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