Wealthy PotAverage Credit Score by Age in 2026: How Do You Compare?
Credit scores climb with age, and the gap between generations is large. According to Experian, the average FICO Score was 678 for Gen Z and 747 for baby boomers in 2025, a difference of almost 70 points. The national average was 713 in Experian's data (September 2025) and 714 in FICO's own latest reading (April 2026). This page shows the full age breakdown, explains why scores rise over time, and what it takes to get ahead of your age group.
Credit Scores at a Glance
Average Credit Score by Age
Average FICO Score by generation, 2025
Bars run from 300, the lowest possible FICO Score, to 850, the highest
Source: Experian, FICO Score 8, September 2025. The table below adds the 2024 figures.
| Generation (age in 2025) | 2024 average | 2025 average | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen Z (18-28) | 681 | 678 | -3 |
| Millennials (29-44) | 691 | 689 | -2 |
| Gen X (45-60) | 709 | 709 | 0 |
| Baby boomers (61-79) | 746 | 747 | +1 |
| Silent Generation (80+) | 760 | 760 | 0 |
Every generation's average sits in the "good" (670-739) or "very good" (740-799) FICO range. But 2025 was a rough year for younger borrowers. The national average slipped two points, the first annual decline since 2013 in Experian's data, and the drop was concentrated among Gen Z and millennials. Experian points to the end of the SAVE student loan repayment plan, continued inflation and rising unemployment, pressures that weigh most on people with thinner savings and no home equity to lean on.
The longer view is kinder. FICO's August 2026 report found Gen Z scores up 17 points and millennials up 10 since before the pandemic, so the recent dip comes after years of gains.
Why Scores Rise With Age
Nothing in the FICO formula looks at your age. Scores rise with age because the things the formula does reward take time:
- Length of credit history. Older borrowers simply have older accounts. A 25-year-old cannot have a 20-year-old credit card.
- A longer on-time record. Payment history is the heaviest factor, and every year of on-time payments makes one late payment matter less.
- Lower utilization. Older households tend to carry less revolving debt relative to their limits, and many have paid down or paid off mortgages.
- Fewer new applications. People buying their first car, apartment and credit cards generate more inquiries and new accounts, which trim scores for a while.
The practical point: you are compared with everyone, not with your age group. A lender sees a 690, not "a good score for a 30-year-old." For the factor weights, read what drives your FICO Score.
Where Everyone Else Sits
| FICO range | Share of consumers, 2024 | Share, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Poor (300-579) | 13.2% | 14.7% |
| Fair (580-669) | 15.5% | 14.9% |
| Good (670-739) | 21.0% | 20.1% |
| Very good (740-799) | 27.8% | 27.5% |
| Exceptional (800-850) | 22.5% | 22.8% |
About 70% of consumers have a good score or better (670+). What changed in 2025 is the shape: both ends grew. The share in the poor range rose to 14.7%, while the share with exceptional scores reached a record 22.8%. The middle thinned out.
Highest and Lowest States
| Highest average (2025) | Score | Lowest average (2025) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 741 | Mississippi | 677 |
| Vermont | 737 | Louisiana | 686 |
| Wisconsin | 737 | Alabama | 689 |
| New Hampshire | 735 | Georgia | 692 |
| Washington | 734 | Texas | 692 |
Average scores fell in most states in 2025 and rose in none. Louisiana and Washington, D.C. saw the largest drops (four points each); Illinois, Maine and Vermont held steady.
How to Beat Your Age Average
- Automate every minimum payment. A single 30-day late payment can cost far more points than any other everyday mistake.
- Keep utilization low. Pay cards down before the statement date so the balance reported to the bureaus is small. See how your card balance compares.
- Keep old accounts open. Closing your oldest card shortens your history and cuts your available credit. Read what closing a card does to your score.
- Space out applications. Rate-shop for a car or mortgage within a short window, and avoid opening several new cards at once.
- Starting from scratch? A secured card or credit-builder loan is the usual first step. Follow how to build credit from zero.
The payoff is real money. On a car loan, Experian's Q2 2026 data shows super prime borrowers paying 4.41% on new cars against 9.71% for near prime. Our average car payment page shows what that gap does over a five-year loan.
Sources & Methodology
- Experian, What Is the Average Credit Score in the US? (published March 30, 2026): FICO Score 8 averages by generation, by state, and the score distribution, from Experian's credit files as of September 2025.
- FICO, Score Credit Insights report (August 25, 2026): national average FICO Score of 714 as of April 2026 and generational trends.
Experian's generations use ages as of 2025. FICO and Experian measure at different dates, so small differences between their national averages are expected. Lenders may use other FICO versions or VantageScore, and your score can differ by bureau.
FAQ
What is the average credit score for my age?
In Experian's 2025 data: 678 for ages 18-28, 689 for 29-44, 709 for 45-60, 747 for 61-79, and 760 for 80 and older.
What is the average credit score in the U.S.?
714 according to FICO (April 2026) and 713 according to Experian (September 2025).
Is 700 a good credit score?
Yes. 700 falls in FICO's "good" range (670-739), a little below the national average of about 714.
What credit score do most people have?
The largest single group, 27.5% of consumers, is in the "very good" range of 740-799. About 70% have 670 or higher.
Does age affect your credit score?
Not directly; FICO does not use age. Scores rise with age because credit history grows longer and on-time records build up.
This article is for general information and is not financial advice. Figures come from Experian and FICO publications checked on 2026-09-23. Your own score depends on your credit report and the scoring model a lender uses.
