Who Has a 457 Credit Score?

While a 457 credit score is well below average for any demographic, it helps to understand how scores typically trend across different age groups. According to 2023 data, average FICO scores steadily increase 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 457 Credit Score

A credit score of 457 is considered poor, which can make it challenging to get approved for a traditional credit card. Most lenders view this score as high-risk, meaning you'll likely face rejections for many unsecured card offers. If you do manage to find a card you qualify for, it will probably come with unfavorable terms like high interest rates, annual fees, and a low credit limit.

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Kudos can help you find the right card for your financial situation with its AI-powered Explore Tool, which acts as a personalized matchmaker. The tool uses a quiz to understand your preferences for features like low interest rates or specific rewards and then recommends cards from its database of nearly 3,000 options.

Auto Loans and a 457 Credit Score

With a credit score of 457, you fall into the deep subprime category, which can make securing an auto loan challenging but not impossible. According to a 2025 analysis, you should expect to face significantly higher interest rates, leading to a much more expensive loan overall.

• 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 457 Credit Score

With a 457 credit score, traditional mortgage options are virtually unavailable. According to mortgage requirements, most lenders look for a minimum score of 620. Your only potential path is an FHA loan, which accepts scores as low as 500, but approval is rare and requires a down payment of at least 10%. Most lenders will not approve a mortgage for a score this low.

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If you do find a willing lender, your loan terms will be significantly impacted. Expect to face higher interest rates and fees, which substantially increase the long-term cost of the loan. Lenders will also likely cap the amount you can borrow, limiting your purchasing power, and will subject your finances to a stricter review process known as manual underwriting.

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 457 Credit Score

Having a 457 credit score can feel limiting, but it is entirely possible to rebuild your financial standing. With consistent positive behavior and the right strategy, you can see meaningful changes within a few months.

• Monitor your credit reports. Regularly check your reports from all three major bureaus to identify and dispute any inaccuracies. Correcting errors is one of the fastest ways to fix your credit, as false negative information could be unfairly dragging down your score.
• Make all payments on time. According to an expert guide, payment history is the most significant factor in your score, so setting up automatic payments is a critical step. This ensures you build a positive track record, which is essential for improving a low score.
• Reduce your credit utilization. High balances signal risk to lenders, so aim to keep your credit utilization ratio below 30%. Paying down your balances shows you can manage debt responsibly and can significantly improve your score.
• Become an authorized user. Being added to a credit card account of a trusted person with a strong payment history can give your score a boost. You benefit from their positive credit habits, which can help build your own credit profile.

For help managing your cards and maximizing rewards as you work to improve your credit, consider using a financial companion like Kudos.