What Is the Average Credit Score by 18? [2023] (2024)

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PublishedOctober 24, 2023 | min. read

Nikkita Walker

Nikkita Walker is a contributing writer for Credit.com, specializ... Read More

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  • What Is the Average Credit Score by 18? [2023] (2)
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    Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations.

    A good credit score can help you apply for loans, pay less for insurance, and qualify for lower interest rates. For young adults, starting to build credit earlier than later can make the biggest difference in the future.

    Learn more about the average credit scores by age group in the United States and how to build credit starting at 18.

    Average Credit Score by Age

    The average credit score fluctuates between age groups. The more years you have to build credit, the higher your credit score can be—as evident in these average credit scores from 2022 You can measure the credit scores below as good credit scores.

    Age Group

    Average Credit Score

    18-25

    679

    26-41

    687

    42-57

    706

    58-76

    742

    77+

    760

    Experian® Q3 2022

    Average Credit Score by 20

    The average credit score for those aged 18 to 25 is 679. This average credit score is the lowest on our list because this age group is just beginning to build their credit scores Lower earnings, student loans, and higher credit card usage can impact credit scores.

    Average Credit Score by 30

    The average credit score for those aged 26 to 41 is 687. This age group is building their credit along with higher salaries. This age group may be paying off education loans or large investments like cars and homes.

    Average Credit Score by 40 – 50

    The average credit score for those aged 42 to 57 is 706. This age group is investing more in retirement finances and working to reduce debt and large investments like mortgages.

    Average Credit Score by 60 and Higher

    The average credit score for those aged 58 to 76 is 742. For those older than 77, the average credit score is 760. These groups are either stepping into retirement or enjoying the rewards of retirement life. These groups may be working off a debt to have minimal debt going into retirement or avoiding accumulating debt altogether. These groups have the highest credit scores due to their ability to pay off debts and build credit scores over the years.

    Average Credit Score by State

    As of September 2022, Minnesota had the highest average credit score at 742, whereas Mississippi had the lowest average credit score at 680. Overall, the southern states produced lower credit scores than the northwestern and midwestern states.

    What Is the Average Credit Score by 18? [2023] (6)

    How to Build Credit at 18

    Building credit sooner than later will provide you with more loan options and lower interest rates. There are many ways to start building credit and improving your credit.

    What Is the Average Credit Score by 18? [2023] (7)

    1. Improve Your Financial Literacy

    Before building credit, it’s important to learn about credit management and personal finance. Spend some time researching how credit works and how to make the best financial decisions for your circ*mstances. Take a look at Credit.com’s extensive tips and guides for further help and information.

    2. Get a Starter Credit Card

    Your first option to start building your credit is with a secured credit card. A secured credit card is much easier to apply for. However, it requires a security deposit. This security deposit acts as collateral in case you can’t make your credit card payments. Be sure the credit card company you choose reports to the three major credit reporting agencies.

    From here, begin using your starter credit to build your credit and submit your monthly payments on time.

    3. Become an Authorized User

    If you have a family member or friend with a credit card and a good credit score, you can ask them to add you as an authorized user. Just double-check that their credit card company reports authorized user information to the credit bureaus, or this won’t work.

    As an authorized user, you don’t need to access the account owner’s credit card or even use the account to reap its credit benefits. When you’re an authorized user, the on-time credit payments made by the account owner are automatically reflected on your credit report. Becoming an authorized user is a great way to quickly start building your credit. However, if the account owner doesn’t submit payments on time, this can negatively impact you.

    4. Submit Payments on Time

    This may be the most important way to build credit, as payment history makes up 35% of your FICO® credit score. It’s crucial to make credit card payments on time, so it’s best to only take on debt if you can pay it off by the time it’s due. If your payment is 30 days past due, your credit card company can report it, which would likely hurt your credit score.

    5. Check Your Credit Report

    Monitor your credit report regularly. Although uncommon, payment inaccuracies and misinformation found on your credit report can drop your credit score. You are legally entitled to one free credit report each year from the three major credit reporting agencies. If you see an error on your credit report, you can dispute it with the agency.

    FAQ

    Below are frequently asked questions about your credit score and how to improve it.

    What Is the Average U.S. Credit Score?

    In September 2022, the average U.S. credit score was 714, which is unchanged from 2021.

    When Does Your Credit Score Build the Most?

    Your credit score builds the most when you’re actively contributing to improving your credit score. Establishing initial credit in a good range (around 670 – 700 or higher) can take at least six months, but building your credit up to a good credit score can take several years. Practicing good credit management, like submitting payments on time, will make the biggest difference in how fast your credit builds up.

    How Do You Find Your Credit Score?

    It’s important to check your credit score regularly. There are a few ways to get your credit score, such as:

    • Look at your credit card or loan statement: Most credit card, loan, and bank institutions provide credit scores for customers. You may be able to find an up-to-date credit score on your most recent bank statement.
    • Use a credit score service: Use a free or subscription-based credit score service to see your credit score. Some credit scoring sites provide a free trial for new users to test out their site, during which you can check your credit score.
    • Apply for a free credit report: The three major credit reporting agencies must legally provide you with a free credit report every year upon request. You may request your credit report from Experian®, Equifax®, or TransUnion®.

    You should also check your credit report regularly to verify your credit report is free of any inaccuracies or misinformation.

    Review Your Next Credit Report With Credit.com

    Now that you know the average credit score by 18 (679), it’s time to start building your credit. Setting up financial goals and practicing good credit management will help you build credit.

    Curious about your financial health? Get graded with our free credit report card to see what is affecting your credit score.

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    What Is the Average Credit Score by 18? [2023] (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the average 18-year-old's credit score? ›

    Consider yourself in “good” shape if your credit score is above the average for people in your age group. Given that the average credit score for people aged 18 to 25 is 679, a score between 679 and 687 (the average for people aged 26 to 41) could be considered “good”.

    What is an average credit score 2023? ›

    The average FICO Score in the United States was 715 in 2023, according to Experian data, increasing by one point from its 714 average in the third quarter (Q3) of 2022.

    What will my credit score be when I'm 18? ›

    ‍The truth is, there isn't a set credit score number that you start with at 18. You don't begin on zero, for example. You may find that that the credit reference agency could struggle to find enough financial data about you the first time you try to check your credit reports.

    Is a 714 credit score good for an 18 year old? ›

    FICO® Score, 714, falls within the Good range. Lenders view consumers with scores in the good range as "acceptable" borrowers, and may offer them a variety of credit products, though not necessarily at the lowest-available interest rates. 21% of U.S. consumers' FICO® Scores are in the Good range.

    Can a 18 year old have a 700 credit score? ›

    But if you're in your 20s and just starting out, a score of 700 or higher may be tough as you're just establishing your credit history. In fact, according to Credit Karma, the average credit score for 18-24 year-olds is 630 and the average credit score for 25-30 year-olds is 628.

    Is 650 credit score at 18 good? ›

    As someone with a 650 credit score, you are firmly in the “fair” territory of credit. You can usually qualify for financial products like a mortgage or car loan, but you will likely pay higher interest rates than someone with a better credit score. The "good" credit range starts at 690.

    How rare is an 800 credit score? ›

    How rare is an 800 credit score? An 800 credit score is not as rare as most people think, considering that roughly 23% of adults have a credit score in the 800-850 range, according to data from FICO. A score in this range allows consumers to access the best credit card offers and loans with the most favorable terms.

    What is a good credit score by age? ›

    How Credit Scores Breakdown by Generation
    Average FICO 8 Score by Generation
    Generation20222023
    Generation Z (ages 18-26)679 - Good680 - Good
    Millennials (27-42)687 - Good690 - Good
    Generation X (43-58)707 - Good709 - Good
    2 more rows

    What is average American 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.

    How to get a 650 credit score at 18? ›

    Payment history is a very important factor in your credit score, so making payments on time is one of the best things you can do to build credit. Making timely payments goes beyond your credit card balance. You want to make timely payments on all your bills — car loans, student loans etc. — to establish good credit.

    Should I get a credit card at 18? ›

    While understanding personal finance might seem a little intimidating for the uninitiated, the basics are fairly straightforward. And a good place to start is by opening a credit card at 18, so you can start building credit at an early age and developing good money habits.

    How should an 18 year old build credit? ›

    Although some strategies are tougher than others, you have several options:
    1. Open a student credit card. One of the more popular options for establishing credit is opening a student credit card, which is unsecured. ...
    2. Get a secured card. ...
    3. Take out a loan. ...
    4. Try a credit-builder loan. ...
    5. Automate your payments.

    Is 2 years of credit history good? ›

    Anything less than two years is considered a short credit history. Once you have established between two and four years of credit, lenders will better understand how well you manage your credit accounts. A credit age of five years will raise your score as long as you've been managing your accounts well.

    Is a 721 credit score good for an 18 year old? ›

    Your score falls within the range of scores, from 670 to 739, which are considered Good. The average U.S. FICO® Score, 714, falls within the Good range.

    Is a 600 credit score good for an 18 year old? ›

    Your score falls within the range of scores, from 580 to 669, considered Fair. A 600 FICO® Score is below the average credit score. Some lenders see consumers with scores in the Fair range as having unfavorable credit, and may decline their credit applications.

    Is a 750 credit score good for an 18 year old? ›

    Scores between 661 and 780 are considered good credit scores. Anything over 780 is excellent.

    References

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