Average Credit Score in the US in 2026

What Is the Average Credit Score in the US?

The average credit score in the US is about 714 on the FICO model and 701 on VantageScore 4.0, based on the latest 2026 releases from FICO and VantageScore. Experian's September 2025 consumer credit sample, which uses FICO Score 8, put the average at 713.

So if your score is somewhere around 713 to 714, you are almost exactly in the middle of today's US credit market. That average FICO score falls inside the Good range, but it is still below the score most borrowers need for the best rates on mortgages, auto loans, and premium credit cards.

Last verified: June 2026. These numbers can move as lenders report new payment, balance, delinquency, and credit-limit data to the bureaus.

Average FICO Score vs. Average VantageScore

People often ask for one average credit score, but there is no single number. Lenders, banks, apps, and bureaus may show different scores because they use different scoring models and different bureau data.

Here is the cleanest way to compare the main numbers right now:

Is the Average Credit Score Good?

Yes. An average FICO score of 714 is a good credit score because FICO's Good range runs from 670 to 739. VantageScore uses the same 300 to 850 scale, but its categories are different.

Good does not mean perfect. It usually means you can qualify for many mainstream loans and credit cards, but you may not receive the best advertised APRs. A borrower with a 760 score can often pay less for the same debt than a borrower with a 690 score.

If you want the simple benchmark, read it this way: average is healthy, above 740 is stronger, and above 800 is exceptional. For the full range breakdown, see our guide to what is a good credit score.

Average Credit Score by Age

Average credit score by age rises for a simple reason: older borrowers usually have longer credit histories, more seasoned accounts, and more time to recover from past mistakes.

Experian's 2025 generation data shows the pattern clearly:

Average Credit Score by Income

Average credit score by income is trickier than average score by age or state because income is not part of your credit score. FICO says its scores look at information in your credit report, not your salary. A lender may consider income when deciding whether you can afford a loan, but the score itself does not directly count it.

That said, the Federal Reserve has found a moderate relationship between income and credit scores. Higher-income households often have more financial cushion, lower utilization, and fewer missed payments. Lower-income households are more likely to deal with thin files, higher balances relative to limits, and account stress.

Here is the practical version:

Average Credit Score by State

Average credit score by state also varies. Experian's September 2025 data showed Minnesota at the top with a 741 average FICO Score, while Mississippi was lowest at 677.

The differences are not random. States with older populations, higher homeownership rates, lower delinquency pressure, or stronger household balance sheets often score higher. States with more financial stress tend to score lower.

Why the Average Credit Score Has Been Falling Slightly

The long-term story is still positive. US credit scores rose for years after the Great Recession, helped by better consumer credit behavior, aging credit files, and pandemic-era balance paydowns.

The short-term story is softer. FICO and Experian both reported small declines after years of increases. Experian pointed to affordability pressure, rising unemployment, and higher delinquency in some debt categories. FICO's 2026 release also noted strain from student loan and mortgage delinquencies.

The useful takeaway is not that the average borrower is suddenly in bad shape. It is that a small missed payment or high revolving balance matters more when household budgets are already tight.

FICO vs. VantageScore: Why Your Average May Look Different

FICO and VantageScore both use a 300 to 850 scale, but they are not the same model. They can use different data windows, factor weights, and category definitions. One app might show a VantageScore from TransUnion, while a lender might pull a FICO Score from Experian.

That is why your score may be 701 in one app and 714 somewhere else. It does not automatically mean one is wrong. It means you are looking at different scoring recipes.

For most borrowing decisions, FICO still deserves your attention first. But VantageScore is useful for trend tracking, especially if the same app shows your score moving up or down over time.

How to Check Your Own Score for Free

You can check your own credit without hurting your score. Your own check is a soft inquiry, not a hard pull.

Start with your reports, not just the score. AnnualCreditReport.com is the official site for free credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. The CFPB also recommends checking reports at least once a year so errors do not keep you from getting credit or the best available terms.

For scores, many banks, card issuers, and credit-monitoring services offer free FICO or VantageScore access. Just remember that the score in your app may not be the exact score a lender uses. If your score changes more often than expected, our guide to how often your credit score updates explains why.