Who Has a 689 Credit Score?

According to 2023 Experian data, the average FICO score generally increases with age. Here is the breakdown by generation:

• 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 689 Credit Score

A credit score of 689 places you in the "fair" credit range, which can be a mixed bag when applying for new credit cards. While you'll likely be approved for a variety of cards, you may not qualify for the most premium options offering top-tier rewards and the lowest interest rates. Lenders might also offer you a lower credit limit or a higher APR than they would for applicants with stronger credit profiles.

‍

Kudos offers tools like the Explore Tool, which uses a quiz to understand your needs, and the Dream Wallet, which analyzes your spending to find the perfect match. These tools provide personalized recommendations from a database of nearly 3,000 cards, with insights into how each card might impact your credit score and align with your financial goals.

Auto Loans and a 689 Credit Score

With a 689 credit score, you fall squarely into the "prime" category, making you a desirable candidate for an auto loan. According to a 2025 market analysis, this means you'll likely qualify for competitive interest rates that are significantly better than those offered to non-prime borrowers.

• 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 689 Credit Score

A 689 credit score is generally sufficient to qualify for most mainstream home loans. This includes conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans, as your score is above the typical minimum credit score requirements for each. However, you may find it difficult to get approved for a jumbo loan, as lenders often require a score of 700 or higher for these larger mortgages.

While you are likely to be approved, your 689 score will impact your loan terms. You can expect to face higher interest rates and potentially larger private mortgage insurance (PMI) premiums than borrowers with scores in the 700s. Lenders reserve the most competitive rates for applicants with excellent credit, typically considered 740 and above.

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 689 Credit Score

No matter your starting point, improving your credit score is always within reach. There are proven methods to boost your creditworthiness from a good score of 689 into an excellent one.

• Reduce your credit utilization ratio. This ratio compares your card balances to your credit limits, and keeping it low shows lenders you manage debt responsibly. Paying down balances or making multiple payments per month can give your 689 score a significant lift.
• Set up automatic bill payments. Your payment history is the single most important factor in your credit score, so ensuring every bill is paid on time is crucial. Automating payments eliminates the risk of a simple mistake costing you valuable points and hindering your progress.
• Monitor your credit reports. Regularly checking your reports from all three bureaus helps you spot and dispute any inaccuracies that could be unfairly dragging down your score. This also allows you to track your progress and stay motivated as you see your score climb.
• Become an authorized user. Being added to a trusted friend or family member's credit card account can help your score by adding their positive payment history to your report. This can lengthen your credit history and lower your overall utilization, both of which are positive signals to lenders.

To make the most of your credit cards while improving your score, consider using a tool like the Kudos browser extension to help you spend smarter.