Who Has a 597 Credit Score?

While a 597 credit score can be found across any demographic, there are clear trends when looking at the average credit score by age. Generally, scores tend to increase as people get older. Here is a breakdown based on 2023 data from Experian:

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

Credit Cards With a 597 Credit Score

A credit score of 597 falls into the "fair" credit range, which can be a mixed bag when applying for new credit cards. While you'll likely find some lenders willing to approve your application, you may not qualify for premium cards with the best rewards or lowest interest rates. Issuers often reserve their most attractive offers for applicants with good to excellent credit, meaning a 597 score could lead to higher APRs and lower credit limits.

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Services like Kudos can simplify the search with tools designed to match you with the right card for your financial situation. Their Explore Tool uses a quiz to understand your needs—whether you're after low interest rates, balance transfers, or specific rewards—and then provides personalized recommendations from a database of nearly 3,000 cards.

Auto Loans and a 597 Credit Score

A 597 credit score places you in the subprime category, meaning you can likely still get approved for an auto loan but will face significantly higher interest rates. Lenders reserve their most favorable terms for borrowers with stronger credit profiles.

According to Q2 2025 Experian data, here is how average rates break down by credit score bracket:

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

Mortgages at a 597 Credit Score

A 597 credit score will limit your mortgage choices, placing you below the 620 threshold for a conventional loan. However, you likely qualify for a government-backed FHA loan, which permits scores of 580 or higher with a minimum 3.5% down payment. According to a Kudos Mortgage guide, borrowers with scores under 600 are generally limited to these government-insured programs.

The primary impact of a lower score is on your loan's cost. You can expect a higher interest rate than borrowers with better credit, significantly increasing what you pay over the life of the loan. For an FHA loan, you will also be required to pay both upfront and annual mortgage insurance premiums, adding another layer of expense to your borrowing.

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 elements. The most common factors include:

• Your payment history, which tracks whether you pay your bills on time, is the most significant factor.
• Credit utilization, or the amount of credit you're using compared to your total available credit, also plays a major role.
• The length of your credit history demonstrates your experience with managing credit over time.
• Having a healthy mix of different types of credit, such as credit cards and installment loans, can positively impact your score.
• Finally, recent credit inquiries, which occur when you apply for new credit, are also taken into account.

How to Improve Your 597 Credit Score

Your credit score plays a crucial role in your financial life, but it's not set in stone; with consistent effort, it is always possible to improve your creditworthiness. While most people see meaningful changes within three to six months, you can start today with a few proven methods.

• Establish automatic bill payments. Your payment history is the most significant factor in your score, so ensuring every bill is paid on time is critical. Automating payments is a simple way to build the positive history needed to move past a 597 score.
• Reduce your credit utilization ratio. Lenders look closely at how much of your available credit you're using, and keeping this ratio below 30% provides a significant boost. Paying down balances demonstrates responsible credit management, which is essential for improving a fair credit score.
• Apply for a secured credit card. For those with damaged or limited credit, a secured card is an excellent tool for rebuilding. Because it requires a security deposit, it's easier to get approved for, and it reports your payment activity to the credit bureaus to help you build a positive history.
• Monitor your credit reports regularly. Errors on your credit report are surprisingly common and can unfairly drag your score down. Checking your reports allows you to identify and dispute inaccuracies, which can be a quick way to see an improvement.

To help you use your credit more strategically as you build your score, consider using a tool like Kudos.