456 Credit score: What You Need to Know in 2025

Who Has a 456 Credit Score?

While a 456 credit score is significantly below the average for any age demographic, understanding the typical scores across different generations provides a useful benchmark. According to 2023 data from Experian, average FICO scores show a clear upward trend with age.

• 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

Credit Cards With a 456 Credit Score

A credit score of 456 falls into the "poor" range, which can significantly hinder your ability to qualify for a credit card. Most mainstream lenders view this score as a high risk, meaning applications for traditional unsecured cards are often denied. While approval isn't impossible, you'll likely be limited to secured credit cards or subprime options that come with high interest rates and annual fees.

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Kudos can help you find the right credit card with its AI-powered tools that provide personalized recommendations based on your financial goals and spending habits. The platform also offers credit score insights to show how different cards may impact your credit, helping you make an informed decision from a database of nearly 3,000 options.

Auto Loans and a 456 Credit Score

A 456 credit score places you in the deep subprime category, which can make securing an auto loan challenging. While approval is still possible, you can expect to face significantly higher auto loan rates and less favorable terms from lenders.

• 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 456 Credit Score

A 456 credit score is considered very poor and falls below the minimum requirements for nearly all mainstream mortgage programs. According to an analysis of mortgage requirements, even government-backed FHA loans—the most accessible option for low-credit borrowers—require a minimum score of 500 with a 10% down payment. This makes securing a traditional mortgage with a 456 score extremely challenging.

Even if you found a specialty lender, a low score would lead to unfavorable loan terms. Lenders charge significantly higher interest rates and fees to offset the risk associated with poor credit. This means your monthly payments and the total cost of the loan would be substantially higher, severely impacting affordability.

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 456 Credit Score

While a 456 credit score presents financial challenges, it is entirely possible to improve your credit score with consistent effort and the right strategy. Focusing on a few key actions can help you begin building a stronger credit profile and raising your score over time.

• Monitor your credit reports. Regularly checking your reports helps you find and dispute inaccuracies that could be dragging down your score. For someone with a low score, correcting even small errors can have a meaningful impact.
• Establish automatic bill payments. Payment history is the most significant factor in your score, so making on-time payments is essential for rebuilding credit. Setting up automatic payments ensures you never miss a due date and begin to establish a positive track record.
• Apply for a secured credit card. A secured card is an excellent tool for someone with a 456 score who may not qualify for other credit. It requires a security deposit but reports your payment activity to the credit bureaus, allowing you to build a positive history with responsible use.
• Become an authorized user. Being added to the account of a trusted person with a strong credit history can add their positive payment data to your credit file. This can help improve your score by increasing your available credit and adding a well-managed account to your report.

Kudos can help you manage your cards and monitor your score as you work to unlock more value from your credit.