Who Has a 594 Credit Score?

While a 594 credit score is below the national average, it's helpful to see how scores generally break down by age. According to 2023 data, average credit scores tend to increase with each generation, as older consumers have had more time to build a positive payment history.

• Generation Z (ages 18-26): 680
• Millennials (ages 27-42): 690
• Generation X (ages 43-58): 709
• Baby Boomers (ages 59-77): 745
• Silent Generation (ages 78+): 760

Credit Cards With a 594 Credit Score

A credit score of 594 places you in the "fair" credit category, which can be a tricky spot when applying for new credit. Lenders generally prefer applicants with good to excellent credit, so a score in this range might lead to a denial for some of the more popular rewards cards. While you can still get approved for certain cards, they will likely come with higher interest rates and lower credit limits than those offered to applicants with stronger credit profiles.

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Kudos offers AI-powered tools that sift through nearly 3,000 credit cards to find a match based on your unique financial needs. The platform provides personalized recommendations by analyzing your preferences and spending habits, and even offers credit score insights to show how applying for a new card could affect your credit.

Auto Loans and a 594 Credit Score

With a 594 credit score, you fall into the subprime borrower category, which makes getting an auto loan more expensive. Lenders will likely approve your loan but at a significantly higher interest rate, as shown in the 2025 rate breakdown below.

• Super-prime (781-850): 5.25% for new cars and 7.13% for used cars
• Prime (661-780): 6.87% for new cars and 9.36% for used cars
• Non-prime (601-660): 9.83% for new cars and 13.92% for used cars
• Subprime (501-600): 13.18% for new cars and 18.86% for used cars
• Deep subprime (300-500): 15.77% for new cars and 21.55% for used cars

Mortgages at a 594 Credit Score

While a 594 credit score is below the 620 minimum for most conventional loans, you still have options. Your score likely qualifies you for a government-backed FHA loan, which accepts scores of 580 and above with a 3.5% down payment. Other programs, like VA or USDA loans, are less certain, as most lenders for those programs prefer scores of at least 620. This makes an FHA loan your most probable path to securing a mortgage.

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Be prepared for your credit score to result in less favorable loan terms. You will almost certainly face higher interest rates compared to borrowers with stronger credit profiles. FHA loans also come with mandatory mortgage insurance premiums, which will increase your monthly payment and overall borrowing costs. Lenders will also conduct a stricter underwriting review, examining your finances and credit history in greater detail before approval.

What's in a Credit Score?

Figuring out what goes into your credit score can feel like trying to solve a complex puzzle, but it generally boils down to a handful of key factors.

• Your payment history tracks whether you've paid past credit accounts on time.

• Credit utilization is the percentage of your available credit that you're currently using.

• The length of your credit history considers the age of your oldest account, newest account, and the average age of all your accounts.

• Credit mix refers to the variety of credit products you have, such as credit cards, retail accounts, installment loans, and mortgages.

• New credit accounts for how many new accounts you've recently opened and the number of hard inquiries on your report.

How to Improve Your 594 Credit Score

Your credit score plays a crucial role in your financial life, but it isn't set in stone; there are always proven methods to improve your creditworthiness. Whether you're looking to boost your FICO® score or VantageScore, taking consistent, positive action can lead to meaningful changes.

• Monitor your credit reports. Regularly checking your reports allows you to spot and dispute inaccuracies that could be unfairly lowering your 594 score. This is a foundational step to ensure the score you're starting with is accurate.
• Set up automatic bill payments. Since payment history is the single most important factor in your score, automating payments ensures you never miss a due date. This is critical for rebuilding credit and demonstrating reliability to lenders.
• Lower your credit utilization. This ratio of your used credit to your total available credit is a major scoring factor, so paying down balances to below 30% can provide a significant boost. For a 594 score, this action can yield one of the fastest improvements.
• Apply for a secured credit card. A 594 score can make it hard to get approved for new credit, but a secured card is a powerful tool for rebuilding. It allows you to establish a positive payment history, which is essential for long-term score growth.

To find the right credit-building cards and maximize your rewards, let the Kudos AI-powered browser extension guide you.