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698 Credit score: What You Need to Know in 2025
July 1, 2025
TL;DR
A 698 credit score is a solid achievement, positioning you well to qualify for a variety of loans and credit cards. This score falls squarely into the "Good" category on the FICO scale, signaling to lenders that you are a reliable borrower.
What Does a 698 Credit Score Mean?
A 698 credit score places you squarely in the "good" range on the FICO scale, which spans from 670 to 739. This score is near the national average, indicating to lenders that you have a solid history of managing credit responsibly. While it's not considered a top-tier score, it's a strong foundation that puts you in a favorable position for many financial products.
With a score of 698, you'll likely qualify for various loans and credit cards. However, you may not be offered the most competitive interest rates or premium terms, which are often reserved for higher scores. You're on the cusp of accessing better financial opportunities, and even slight positive changes to your credit profile can unlock more advantageous lending options down the road.
Who Has a 698 Credit Score?
While age isn't a direct factor in credit scoring, there is a strong correlation between age and average credit scores. According to 2023 Experian data, the average FICO score by generation breaks down 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
- Silent Generation (ages 78+): 760
Credit Cards With a 698 Credit Score
A credit score of 698 places you in a favorable position when applying for a credit card, as it's generally considered to be in the 'good' range. While this score will likely qualify you for a variety of credit card options, you might find that the most exclusive, premium cards with top-tier rewards remain just out of reach. Consequently, you may be approved with a slightly higher interest rate or a more modest credit limit than applicants with excellent credit.
Kudos offers AI-powered tools like the Explore Tool and Dream Wallet, which personalize credit card recommendations based on your preferences and real-time spending habits. These tools analyze a database of nearly 3,000 cards to match you with options suited to your financial goals, providing insights into how a new card might impact your credit score.
Auto Loans and a 698 Credit Score
A 698 credit score is considered 'prime,' which generally means you'll have a good chance of being approved for an auto loan. However, you won't qualify for the most competitive interest rates, which are typically reserved for those with 'super-prime' scores.
Based on data from Experian's Q2 2025 report, a complete guide to auto loans shows the following average rates for different credit score tiers:
- Super-prime (781-850): New Car: 5.25%, Used Car: 7.13%
- Prime (661-780): New Car: 6.87%, Used Car: 9.36%
- Non-prime (601-660): New Car: 9.83%, Used Car: 13.92%
- Subprime (501-600): New Car: 13.18%, Used Car: 18.86%
- Deep subprime (300-500): New Car: 15.77%, Used Car: 21.55%
Mortgages at a 698 Credit Score
With a 698 credit score, you are in a strong position to qualify for most mainstream mortgage products. This score comfortably exceeds the minimum credit scores for conventional loans (typically 620+), FHA loans (580+), VA loans (620+), and USDA loans (580-640+). While you may be just shy of the 700+ threshold some lenders prefer for jumbo loans, you have a wide variety of options available.
While you are likely to be approved, your 698 score will influence your loan terms. You won't receive the rock-bottom interest rates reserved for borrowers with scores above 740. However, your rate will be more competitive than those offered to applicants in the low 600s. Similarly, if you make a down payment of less than 20% on a conventional loan, your private mortgage insurance (PMI) premium will be lower than for someone with a weaker credit profile.
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 698 Credit Score
It is always possible to improve your credit score by following a few proven methods. With consistent, positive financial habits, you can see meaningful changes and boost your score from 698 into a higher tier.
- Monitor your credit reports. Regularly checking your reports helps you spot and dispute inaccuracies that could be unfairly dragging down your 698 score. This also allows you to track your progress and stay motivated as you work toward your goal.
- Set up automatic bill payments. Your payment history is the single most important factor in your credit score, so even one late payment can be a setback. Automating payments ensures you never miss a due date, which is a critical step in building the positive history needed to move beyond a 698 score.
- Lower your credit utilization ratio. This ratio—your total balances divided by your total credit limits—is a major scoring factor, and keeping it below 30% is ideal. For a 698 score, paying down balances or increasing your credit limits can provide one of the quickest and most significant boosts.
- Become an authorized user. If you have a trusted friend or family member with a long history of on-time payments, ask to be added to their account. Their good habits will be reflected on your credit report, which can help lengthen your credit history and improve your score.
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