Who Has a 635 Credit Score?

Credit scores tend to improve with age, as consumers have more time to build a positive payment history. According to 2023 data from Experian, the average FICO score increases with each successive generation. Here is the breakdown:

• 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

This upward trend highlights how factors like a longer credit history, which is more common among older individuals, contribute to higher average credit scores. While Gen Z’s average is considered “Good,” the Silent Generation’s average of 760 is categorized as “Very Good” by FICO. The data shows a consistent increase from one age group to the next, with the average score for the oldest generation being 80 points higher than the youngest.

Credit Cards With a 635 Credit Score

A credit score of 635 places you in the 'fair' credit range, which can be a mixed bag when applying for new credit cards. While you may find yourself eligible for a variety of cards, particularly those aimed at individuals building or rebuilding credit, you might not qualify for premium rewards cards with the best perks. Lenders may also offer you less favorable terms, such as a higher annual percentage rate (APR) or a lower credit limit, to offset the perceived risk.

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Kudos can help you navigate the credit card landscape with its AI-powered tools, which provide personalized recommendations from a database of nearly 3,000 cards based on your unique preferences and financial goals. These tools help you find cards that align with your spending habits and even offer insights into how applying for a new card might impact your credit score.

Auto Loans and a 635 Credit Score

A 635 credit score places you in the non-prime borrower category, meaning you can likely get approved for an auto loan. However, you should expect to be offered higher interest rates compared to borrowers with better credit scores.

According to Q2 2025 data, average auto loan rates vary significantly across credit score brackets:

• 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 635 Credit Score

With a 635 credit score, you are in a position to qualify for several types of home loans. This score generally meets the criteria for government-backed mortgages, including FHA, VA, and USDA loans. You may also be eligible for a conventional loan, as the typical minimum is 620, though some lenders may have slightly higher requirements.

However, a 635 score is considered 'fair' and will affect your loan terms. You can expect higher interest rates compared to applicants with stronger credit—around 7.8% based on mid-2024 data. This will result in a higher monthly payment and increase the total cost of your loan over its lifetime.

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's primarily based on a handful of key financial habits. The most common factors include:

• Your payment history tracks whether you have paid past credit accounts on time.
• Credit utilization is the percentage of your available credit that you are currently using.
• The length of your credit history considers the age of your oldest account and the average age of all your accounts.
• Having a healthy mix of credit types, such as credit cards and installment loans, can positively impact your score.
• Recent credit inquiries and newly opened accounts can temporarily lower your score.

How to Improve Your 635 Credit Score

If you're starting with a 635 credit score, the good news is that there's plenty of room for improvement, and it's always possible to boost your number. Whether you're aiming for a FICO® Score or VantageScore, there are several proven methods to improve your creditworthiness and build a healthier financial profile.

• Reduce your credit utilization ratio. This ratio is the second most important factor in your score, so keeping your balances below 30% of your credit limit can provide a significant and relatively quick boost.
• Set up automatic bill payments. Payment history is the single biggest component of your credit score, and automating payments ensures you never miss a due date, which is crucial for rebuilding from a fair score.
• Monitor your credit reports. A 635 score could be held down by errors or inaccuracies, and regularly checking your reports allows you to spot and dispute them for a potential score increase.
• Become an authorized user. Being added to an account with a long, positive history can add that account's good standing to your own credit file, which is a powerful way to improve a score in the fair range.

For help finding the right credit cards and maximizing your rewards as you build your score, Kudos offers a free AI-powered browser extension.