Who Has a 319 Credit Score?

While age isn't a direct factor in credit score calculations, there is a clear trend of scores increasing over time as people build a longer credit history. According to 2023 data from Experian, the average credit scores by generation are:

• Generation Z (ages 18-26): 680
• Millennials (ages 27-42): 690
• Generation X (ages 43-58): 709
• Baby Boomers (ages 59-77): 745
• The Silent Generation (ages 78+): 760

Credit Cards With a 319 Credit Score

A credit score of 319 is considered very poor, placing you in a high-risk category for most lenders. Consequently, you will likely face significant challenges when applying for traditional credit cards, with most mainstream issuers probably denying your application. While approval is not entirely impossible, any offers you do receive will almost certainly be for secured credit cards, which require a cash deposit and often come with high interest rates and low credit limits.

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Kudos can help you find the right credit card by using its AI-powered tools to provide personalized recommendations based on your unique financial profile and spending habits. The service provides insights into how applying for a new card could affect your credit score and can recommend cards designed to help you build credit responsibly.

Auto Loans and a 319 Credit Score

A 319 credit score places you in the deep subprime category, which can make securing an auto loan challenging. While approval is possible, you will likely face significantly higher interest rates and less favorable loan terms compared to borrowers with better credit.

• Super-prime (781-850): 5.25% for new cars and 7.13% for used cars
• Prime (661-780): 6.87% for new cars and 9.36% for used cars
• Non-prime (601-660): 9.83% for new cars and 13.92% for used cars
• Subprime (501-600): 13.18% for new cars and 18.86% for used cars
• Deep subprime (300-500): 15.77% for new cars and 21.55% for used cars, according to a 2025 rate analysis.

Mortgages at a 319 Credit Score

A 319 credit score is unfortunately too low to qualify for standard home loans. According to mortgage requirements, even the most flexible FHA loans require a minimum score of 500 with a 10% down payment. Conventional loans typically start at a 620 minimum, making traditional financing options essentially unavailable with a score in the 300s.

Because this score disqualifies you from mainstream mortgages, the impact on loan terms is severe. Any potential financing from a rare subprime lender would involve extremely high interest rates and a large down payment. For perspective, borrowers with scores just meeting the 620 minimum already face significantly higher rates, costing tens of thousands more over the loan’s life.

What's in a Credit Score?

Understanding your credit score can feel like trying to solve a complex puzzle, as it's a blend of several key financial habits. The most common factors that determine your score 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.
• Credit mix refers to the variety of credit products you have, such as credit cards, retail accounts, and loans.
• New credit inquiries and recently opened accounts can also temporarily impact your score.

How to Improve Your 319 Credit Score

Your credit score plays a crucial role in your financial life, and even a very low score can be improved with consistent effort. By following proven methods, you can rebuild your creditworthiness and work toward a healthier financial profile.

• Establish automatic bill payments. Since payment history is the most significant factor in your credit score, making consistent, on-time payments is the most critical step toward improvement. Automating payments ensures you never miss a due date, preventing further damage to your score as you begin to rebuild it.
• Reduce your credit utilization ratio. This ratio measures how much of your available credit you are using, and lenders prefer to see it below 30%. Paying down balances is a powerful way to improve this ratio and can result in a relatively quick boost to your score.
• Monitor your credit reports regularly. A score of 319 could be caused by errors or inaccuracies on your credit report that you can dispute. Regularly checking your reports allows you to identify and correct these mistakes while also tracking your progress.
• Apply for a secured credit card. For those with damaged credit, a secured card is an excellent tool for building a positive payment history as it's easier to get approved for. By making a small security deposit, you can begin making on-time payments that are reported to the credit bureaus, demonstrating responsible credit management.

To help manage your cards and maximize rewards while you work on your credit, explore the tools and resources offered by Kudos.