What’s the Average Credit Score in the U.S ?

The Current Average U.S. Credit Score

What’s the Average Credit Score in the U.S? The average credit score in the U.S. varies depending on which model you’re using. As of the latest data:

• FICO 8 average: 717 (as of October 2024)
• VantageScore 3.0 average: 699 (as of January 2025)

These scores sit in the “good” or “prime” ranges, meaning most Americans have solid credit, but there’s still room for improvement.

Both scoring systems use a scale from 300 to 850, but they weigh credit factors differently. That’s why your FICO score might not exactly match your VantageScore.

Why the Scores Are Different

Even though FICO and VantageScore look at similar data, like your payment history and total debts, they do so in slightly different ways:

• Payment history:
  • FICO: 35% of your score
  • VantageScore: 40% of your score
• Credit utilization:
  • FICO: 30%
  • VantageScore: 20%

That small difference in how they crunch the numbers can lead to noticeable differences in your score.

Economic Trends Affect Scores Too

Your score isn’t just about your habits — the economy plays a part too.

Atif Mirza, SVP at VantageScore, noted that in late 2024, higher credit balances (due to a late Thanksgiving and holiday shopping) may have driven average scores down:

“The combined effect of increases in balances and high utilization rates may have contributed to the decline in the average VantageScore 3.0.”

FICO also reports that missed payments and consumer debt have increased, aligning with data from the New York Fed, which found total household debt jumped $93 billion in Q4 2024.

Key Factors That Affect Your Score

1. Payment History

This is the biggest factor. One late payment — even just over 30 days — can stick on your report for up to 7 years.

Tips to stay on track:

• Set up automatic payments
• Group due dates together
• If you slip up, send a goodwill letter to your lender

2. Credit Utilization

Try to use less than 30% of your credit limit. Maxing out cards hurts your score, even if you pay on time.

Best practices:

• Pay your balance in full every month
• Spread charges across cards
• Ask for a credit limit increase (but don’t use it!)

How to Build (or Rebuild) Credit

Building credit takes consistent effort, but here’s a straightforward approach:

1. Get your free reports
   Visit AnnualCreditReport.com for free weekly access from all three credit bureaus.
2. Check for errors
   Look for incorrect names, accounts, or balances. Dispute anything that doesn’t look right. Bureaus usually respond within 30–45 days.
3. Monitor your progress
   Utilize free tools from sites like NerdWallet, which provide weekly updates on your credit score and offer tips to help improve it.

Final Thoughts

The average credit score in the U.S. is holding steady in the “good” range, but even a small misstep, like a late payment or high credit use, can drag your score down. Understand how credit scores work, monitor yours regularly, and take smart actions to improve your credit score over time.