Most people know whether their credit score seems high or low, but it can be harder to tell how it compares with everyone else’s. That comparison matters because it shows where you stand before you apply for a loan, credit card, mortgage, or apartment.
FICO’s latest national data puts the average FICO credit score in America at 714. Experian reports a slightly lower average of 713 based on a separate consumer sample and measurement date. Both figures place the typical American within the good FICO credit score range.
Below, we compare average FICO credit scores by state, generation, year, and FICO credit score range. We also explain how FICO credit scores are calculated, how your FICO credit score may affect borrowing costs, and which steps may help if your FICO credit score falls below the national average.
What Is the Average Credit Score in America?
The latest national average FICO credit score is 714. FICO published that figure in March 2026 from consumer credit data measured in October 2025.
The average FICO credit score declined from 715 in April 2025 and 716 in October 2024. FICO linked much of the decline to higher student loan and mortgage delinquency rates.
Experian measured an average FICO credit score of 713 in September 2025. That was two points below its 2024 average of 715. Experian also found that 70% of consumers had a FICO credit score of 670 or higher.
A 714 FICO credit score falls within the good FICO credit score range. It does not guarantee approval, but it may qualify a borrower for many loans and credit cards. The exact terms will depend on the lender, income, existing debt, loan type, and other application details.
You can read more about how a FICO credit score works and why lenders rely on it.
Why Average Credit Score Estimates Differ by Source
There is no single database that contains every American’s FICO credit score at the same moment. FICO, Experian, and other data providers study separate consumer samples and may pull data in different months.
The main differences include:
- Measurement date: A national figure from September may differ from one measured in October.
- Consumer sample: Each study may include a different group of credit files.
- FICO credit score version: Experian’s consumer study may include FICO Credit Score 8 data. A lender may use another FICO credit score version.
- Credit bureau data: Information can differ among Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
This explains why FICO measured 714 while Experian measured 713. Neither figure is necessarily wrong. The studies answer the same question with slightly different data.
An earlier FICO analysis found that the national average had fallen to 715 after federal student loan delinquencies returned to consumer credit files. That FICO analysis of student loan delinquencies remains useful because it explains the start of the recent decline.
What Is Considered a Good Credit Score?
Base FICO credit scores run from 300 to 850. A FICO credit score of 670 or higher falls within the good, very good, or exceptional FICO credit score categories.
| FICO Credit Score Range | FICO Credit Score Rating |
|---|---|
| 300–579 | Poor |
| 580–669 | Fair |
| 670–739 | Good |
| 740–799 | Very Good |
| 800–850 | Exceptional |
A FICO credit score of 714 sits 44 points above the bottom of the good FICO credit score range. It is also 26 points below the very good FICO credit score range.
The rating provides a general comparison, but lenders set their own standards. One lender may approve an application that another lender declines.
Learn more about the complete FICO credit score range, what qualifies as a fair credit score, and the highest credit score possible.
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Average Credit Score by State in 2026
Experian’s latest state data covers September 2025. Minnesota had the highest average FICO credit score at 741. Mississippi had the lowest average FICO credit score at 677.
Average FICO credit scores fell in most states during 2025. Illinois, Maine, and Vermont were the only states without a decline. No state recorded an increase.
| State | 2025 Average FICO Credit Score | Change From 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 689 | -3 |
| Alaska | 720 | -2 |
| Arizona | 709 | -3 |
| Arkansas | 693 | -2 |
| California | 721 | -1 |
| Colorado | 729 | -2 |
| Connecticut | 724 | -2 |
| Delaware | 713 | -1 |
| District of Columbia | 711 | -4 |
| Florida | 704 | -3 |
| Georgia | 692 | -3 |
| Hawaii | 730 | -2 |
| Idaho | 729 | -1 |
| Illinois | 720 | 0 |
| Indiana | 710 | -2 |
| Iowa | 728 | -2 |
| Kansas | 720 | -2 |
| Kentucky | 704 | -1 |
| Louisiana | 686 | -4 |
| Maine | 731 | 0 |
| Maryland | 714 | -1 |
| Massachusetts | 731 | -1 |
| Michigan | 717 | -2 |
| Minnesota | 741 | -1 |
| Mississippi | 677 | -3 |
| Missouri | 712 | -2 |
| Montana | 730 | -2 |
| Nebraska | 728 | -3 |
| Nevada | 699 | -2 |
| New Hampshire | 735 | -1 |
| New Jersey | 722 | -2 |
| New Mexico | 701 | -1 |
| New York | 719 | -2 |
| North Carolina | 707 | -2 |
| North Dakota | 730 | -3 |
| Ohio | 713 | -3 |
| Oklahoma | 693 | -3 |
| Oregon | 730 | -2 |
| Pennsylvania | 720 | -2 |
| Rhode Island | 719 | -2 |
| South Carolina | 699 | -1 |
| South Dakota | 731 | -3 |
| Tennessee | 703 | -3 |
| Texas | 692 | -3 |
| Utah | 728 | -2 |
| Vermont | 737 | 0 |
| Virginia | 721 | -2 |
| Washington | 734 | -1 |
| West Virginia | 699 | -3 |
| Wisconsin | 737 | -1 |
| Wyoming | 722 | -3 |
Source: Experian data from September 2025.
A state average offers context, but your address does not determine your FICO credit score. Your FICO credit score comes from information within your credit report, such as payment history, balances, credit history, new accounts, and credit mix.
States With the Highest Average Credit Scores
The 10 highest average FICO credit scores came from states in the Midwest, New England, Pacific Northwest, and Mountain West.
| Rank | State | Average FICO Credit Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | 741 |
| 2 | Vermont | 737 |
| 2 | Wisconsin | 737 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | 735 |
| 5 | Washington | 734 |
| 6 | Maine | 731 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 731 |
| 6 | South Dakota | 731 |
| 9 | Hawaii | 730 |
| 9 | Montana | 730 |
| 9 | North Dakota | 730 |
| 9 | Oregon | 730 |
These figures describe statewide averages. They do not explain why any individual consumer has a particular FICO credit score.
States With the Lowest Average Credit Scores
The lowest state averages still cover a wide spread. Mississippi’s average FICO credit score of 677 falls within the good FICO credit score range, while several other states sit near the line between fair and good FICO credit scores.
| Rank | State | Average FICO Credit Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mississippi | 677 |
| 2 | Louisiana | 686 |
| 3 | Alabama | 689 |
| 4 | Georgia | 692 |
| 4 | Texas | 692 |
| 6 | Arkansas | 693 |
| 6 | Oklahoma | 693 |
| 8 | Nevada | 699 |
| 8 | South Carolina | 699 |
| 8 | West Virginia | 699 |
Economic conditions may affect payment patterns and household debt, but state data cannot identify the cause of an individual FICO credit score.
Average Credit Score by Generation in 2026
Average FICO credit scores tend to rise across older generations. A longer credit history can help, but time alone does not produce a higher FICO credit score.
Experian found that Generation Z and millennials had the largest declines during 2025. Baby boomers recorded a one-point increase.
| Generation | Ages in 2025 | 2024 Average FICO Credit Score | 2025 Average FICO Credit Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation Z | 18–28 | 681 | 678 |
| Millennials | 29–44 | 691 | 689 |
| Generation X | 45–60 | 709 | 709 |
| Baby Boomers | 61–79 | 746 | 747 |
| Silent Generation | 80+ | 760 | 760 |
Older consumers often have longer credit histories. Many also have older accounts and more years of payment information in their credit reports.
Younger consumers can still earn excellent FICO credit scores. On-time payments, low credit card balances, and careful account management matter more than a person’s generation.
What Percentage of Americans Have Each Credit Score Range?
The national average does not show how consumers are spread across FICO credit score ranges. Experian’s distribution data gives a clearer comparison.
| FICO Credit Score Range | Rating | Share of Consumers in 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 300–579 | Poor | 14.7% |
| 580–669 | Fair | 14.9% |
| 670–739 | Good | 20.1% |
| 740–799 | Very Good | 27.5% |
| 800–850 | Exceptional | 22.8% |
About 70% of consumers had a good FICO credit score or better. Nearly 23% had an exceptional FICO credit score.
The distribution also shows why an average can be misleading. More consumers moved into the poor FICO credit score range during 2025, but the share with an exceptional FICO credit score also reached 22.8%.
Average Credit Score by Year
Average FICO credit scores rose for more than a decade before the recent decline. The figures below show selected years from the historical series and the newest measurements.
| Year | Average FICO Credit Score | Data Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 691 | Historical national average |
| 2014 | 693 | Historical national average |
| 2015 | 695 | Historical national average |
| 2016 | 699 | Historical national average |
| 2017 | 699 | Historical national average |
| 2018 | 701 | Historical national average |
| 2019 | 703 | Historical national average |
| 2020 | 710 | Historical national average |
| 2021 | 714 | Historical national average |
| 2022 | 714 | Historical national average |
| 2023 | 715 | Experian annual figure |
| 2024 | 715 | Experian, September 2024 |
| 2025 | 713 | Experian, September 2025 |
| 2026 | 714 | FICO, October 2025 data published in March 2026 |
The two latest sources should not be treated as a direct month-to-month comparison. Experian measured 713 in September 2025, while FICO measured 714 in October 2025 with a separate consumer sample.
The broader trend remains clear. Average FICO credit scores rose for many years, reached a recent high, and then moved lower as delinquency rates increased.
How Does Your Credit Score Compare to the National Average?
A FICO credit score above 714 is higher than the latest national FICO average. A FICO credit score below 714 is lower than the latest national FICO average.
That comparison does not determine whether a lender will approve you. Credit requirements depend on the financial product and lender.
Here is a practical way to read the comparison:
- Below 580: A poor FICO credit score may limit approval options and lead to higher borrowing costs.
- 580 to 669: A fair FICO credit score may qualify for some financial products, but rates and fees may be higher.
- 670 to 713: A good FICO credit score sits below the national average but remains within a range that many lenders accept.
- 714 to 739: A good FICO credit score meets or exceeds the national average.
- 740 to 799: A very good FICO credit score may qualify for stronger offers.
- 800 to 850: An exceptional FICO credit score places a consumer within the highest FICO credit score category.
A few points above or below the national average usually matter less than the lender’s pricing tiers. A lender may offer the same terms throughout a broad FICO credit score band.
How FICO Credit Scores Are Calculated
FICO calculates a FICO credit score from information in your credit report. The exact effect of each item depends on your full credit profile, but FICO lists five general categories.
- Payment history: Payment history makes up about 35% of a typical FICO credit score. Late payments, collection accounts, and other serious delinquencies can cause damage.
- Amounts owed: Amounts owed make up about 30%. Credit card balances compared with credit limits play a major role in this category.
- Length of credit history: Credit history length makes up about 15%. FICO considers how long your accounts have been open and how recently you used them.
- Credit mix: Credit mix makes up about 10%. FICO may consider credit cards, installment loans, retail accounts, finance accounts, and mortgages.
- New credit: New credit makes up about 10%. Several recent applications or recently opened accounts may increase perceived risk.
The percentages describe the general population. The exact weight may differ across individual credit profiles.
Read more about credit utilization, length of credit history, credit mix, and the difference between a hard and soft credit inquiry.
How Your Credit Score Can Affect Loan Approval and Cost
Lenders may use your FICO credit score to estimate the chance that you will repay a debt as agreed. A higher FICO credit score may improve your approval odds or help you qualify for a lower interest rate.
Your FICO credit score can affect:
- Loan approval: Some lenders set minimum FICO credit score requirements.
- Interest rates: Applicants with stronger FICO credit scores may receive lower rates.
- Credit limits: A credit card issuer may consider your FICO credit score, income, debt, and prior account history.
- Loan fees: Some lenders charge different fees across FICO credit score tiers.
- Down payment requirements: A weaker FICO credit score may lead to stricter terms for some loans.
A lender will usually consider more than your FICO credit score. Income, employment, monthly debt, down payment, assets, and loan type may also affect the decision.
For example, an FHA loan may permit a lower FICO credit score than many conventional mortgage programs. The lender may still set stricter requirements.
How to Improve a Below-Average Credit Score
No single step guarantees a specific FICO credit score increase. The best approach is to address the information that currently has the greatest negative effect on your credit report.
These steps may help:
- Pay every account on time: Payment history has the largest general weight in a FICO credit score. Autopay or payment reminders can reduce the chance of an accidental late payment.
- Reduce credit card balances: Lower balances can reduce your credit utilization ratio. There is no universal credit utilization percentage that guarantees a certain FICO credit score.
- Limit unnecessary applications: A hard credit inquiry may cause a small temporary decline. Several new accounts can also reduce the length of your credit history.
- Review all three credit reports: You can request free weekly credit reports through AnnualCreditReport.com. You can also read our guide to getting all three credit reports for free.
- Correct inaccurate information: Contact the correct credit bureau when you find an account, balance, payment status, or personal detail that does not belong to you. Follow the steps to dispute credit report errors.
- Keep older accounts when practical: An older account may support the length of your credit history. Do not keep an account open when its fees or risks outweigh that benefit.
- Do not carry debt for a FICO credit score: You do not need to pay interest or carry a monthly credit card balance to build a strong FICO credit score.
- Do not open accounts only for credit mix: A new account can produce a hard credit inquiry and add debt. Credit mix accounts for a smaller share of a typical FICO credit score.
Credit improvement often takes time because lenders and creditors usually send account updates to the credit bureaus on monthly schedules.
Where to Check Your Credit Report and Credit Score
A credit report and a credit score are not the same thing. A credit report contains account information, payment history, inquiries, collection accounts, and certain public records. A credit score is calculated from information in a credit report.
AnnualCreditReport.com provides free weekly credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. The free credit reports do not automatically include a free FICO credit score.
Many banks and credit card issuers provide a free FICO credit score. Check which credit score model the provider uses because a VantageScore credit score may differ from a FICO credit score.
A credit monitoring service can send alerts after certain credit report changes. Before you pay for one, learn what credit monitoring does and check whether your bank already includes it.
When Credit Repair Help May Make Sense
You have the right to dispute inaccurate credit report information yourself at no charge. Accurate negative information cannot legally be removed simply because it hurts your FICO credit score.
A professional credit repair company may handle letters, documentation, and follow-up communication for you. It cannot guarantee a specific FICO credit score increase or remove accurate negative information.
Our do-it-yourself credit repair guide explains how to review your credit reports and submit disputes on your own. Consumers who prefer outside help can compare the best credit repair companies.
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Final Thoughts
The latest average FICO credit score in America is 714. Experian’s separate study puts the average FICO credit score at 713. Both figures place the typical American within the good FICO credit score range.
The national average is useful for comparison, but lender requirements matter more when you apply for credit. Your payment history, credit card balances, credit history, new accounts, and credit mix determine where your FICO credit score falls.
A below-average FICO credit score is not permanent. On-time payments, lower balances, accurate credit report information, and fewer unnecessary applications may help your FICO credit score improve over time.
