Who Has a 371 Credit Score?

A 371 credit score is significantly below the average for any age demographic. Generally, credit scores tend to rise with age as people build longer credit histories and become more financially established. According to 2023 Experian data, the average credit scores by generation break 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

This upward trend highlights that older consumers tend to have higher scores, often due to factors like a longer payment history, a more diverse mix of credit, and more time to recover from financial mistakes.

Credit Cards With a 371 Credit Score

A credit score of 371 falls into the "very poor" range, which can significantly hinder your ability to obtain a credit card. Lenders view this score as a high-risk indicator, making approval for most unsecured credit cards highly unlikely. Consequently, your options will be limited primarily to secured credit cards or other products specifically designed for individuals rebuilding their credit.

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Fintech company Kudos provides AI-powered tools, like its Explore Tool, that analyze your preferences to recommend suitable credit cards from a database of nearly 3,000 options. These tools offer personalized insights into how a new card may affect your credit, helping you find the best match for your financial situation.

Auto Loans and a 371 Credit Score

A 371 credit score places you in the deep subprime category, which can make securing an auto loan challenging. While approval is possible, you should anticipate facing significantly higher interest rates and less favorable terms compared to borrowers with better credit.

Based on 2025 auto finance data, here is how average interest rates vary across different credit score brackets:

• 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.

Mortgages at a 371 Credit Score

A 371 credit score is considered very poor and makes qualifying for a traditional mortgage highly unlikely. According to current mortgage requirements, even government-backed FHA loans—known for their flexibility—require a minimum score of 500 with a 10% down payment. With a score this low, your options are extremely limited and approval is improbable outside of rare subprime or specialty programs that come with very high costs.

If you were to find a lender willing to work with you, a 371 score would severely impact your loan terms. You would face much higher interest rates, larger down payment requirements, and more expensive fees. Your application would also undergo strict manual underwriting, where lenders scrutinize your income, debts, and the reasons for past credit issues before making a decision.

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 371 Credit Score

Don't be discouraged by a low number; it is entirely possible to improve your credit score with consistent, positive financial habits. According to a comprehensive expert guide, taking proven steps can help you build a healthier credit profile over time.

• Monitor your credit reports regularly. A score in the 300s can sometimes be the result of errors or fraudulent activity, and correcting inaccuracies can provide an immediate boost. This also helps you track your progress and understand exactly what information is impacting your score.
• Establish automatic bill payments. Payment history is the single most important factor in your credit score, so ensuring every bill is paid on time is critical. Setting up automatic payments prevents late fees and stops your score from dropping further due to missed payments.
• Apply for a secured credit card. With a 371 credit score, you may not qualify for traditional unsecured cards, but a secured card can help you build or rebuild credit. By making a small security deposit, you can get a card that reports your payments to the credit bureaus, demonstrating responsible use.
• Reduce your credit utilization ratio. This ratio measures how much of your available credit you're using, and a high percentage hurts your score. Paying down existing balances, even in small amounts, shows lenders you can manage debt responsibly and can gradually improve your score.

Let Kudos help you manage your cards and maximize rewards as you work to improve your credit.