Who Has a 600 Credit Score?

While age isn't a direct factor in calculating your credit score, there is a strong correlation between age and the average score. Generally, as people get older, their credit scores tend to rise due to factors like a longer credit history and more experience managing debt. According to 2023 Experian data, the average FICO score breaks down by generation as follows:

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

Credit Cards With a 600 Credit Score

A credit score of 600 places you in the "fair" credit range, which can be a bit of a mixed bag when applying for a new credit card. While you'll likely have more options than someone with poor credit, lenders may still view your score as a sign of higher risk, potentially leading to less favorable terms like higher interest rates or lower credit limits. Ultimately, securing a card is certainly possible, but you'll need to be more selective and may have to consider cards specifically designed for applicants building or rebuilding their credit.

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Kudos offers AI-powered tools like the Explore Tool, which uses a quiz about your financial goals, and Dream Wallet, which analyzes your spending habits for hyper-personalized suggestions. These tools allow you to compare thousands of cards and provide insights into how a new card might impact your credit, ensuring you find one that aligns with your financial situation.

Auto Loans and a 600 Credit Score

A credit score of 600 places you in the subprime borrower category, which means lenders will likely approve you for an auto loan but consider you a higher risk. As a result, you can expect to be offered significantly higher interest rates, which increases the total amount you'll pay over the loan's term.

• 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

These figures are based on an auto loan analysis for 2025.

Mortgages at a 600 Credit Score

A 600 credit score limits your mortgage options but doesn't eliminate them. You can likely qualify for an FHA loan, which accepts scores of 580 with a 3.5% down payment. While some lenders might consider you for VA or USDA loans, a conventional loan is generally out of reach, as most require a minimum score of 620.

With a 600 score, expect less favorable loan terms. You'll face higher interest rates, and FHA loans require mortgage insurance, increasing your costs. Lenders may also cap your loan amount and use stricter underwriting, scrutinizing your finances more closely 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 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 600 Credit Score

Your credit score plays a crucial role in your financial life, but a 600 score isn't a permanent setback. With consistent effort and the right strategy, it is entirely possible to improve your creditworthiness using proven methods.

• Monitor your credit reports. Regularly checking your reports from all three bureaus allows you to identify and dispute any inaccuracies or fraudulent activity that may be dragging your score down.
• Establish automatic bill payments. This simple step helps ensure you never miss a payment, which is the single most significant factor (35%) in your FICO score calculation.
• Reduce your credit utilization ratio. Lowering your credit usage to below 30% directly improves the second most important factor of your score and shows lenders you can manage credit responsibly.
• Become an authorized user. Being added to a credit card account with a strong payment history and low utilization can add that positive history to your own report, boosting your score.

You can also use a free AI-powered tool like the Kudos browser extension to help you maximize rewards while building your credit.