Who Has a 480 Credit Score?

While age itself is not a direct factor in calculating a credit score, there is a strong correlation between age and the average score. Older consumers tend to have higher scores, largely because they have had more time to establish a longer credit history and a consistent record of on-time payments. According to 2023 data from Experian, the average FICO score increases with each successive generation:

• 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 480 Credit Score

A credit score of 480 is considered poor, placing you in a high-risk category for most lenders and making it challenging to get approved for a traditional credit card. You'll likely find your options limited to secured credit cards, which require a cash deposit, or unsecured cards specifically designed for people with bad credit. These cards often come with higher interest rates, annual fees, and lower credit limits, reflecting the increased risk to the issuer.

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Kudos uses AI-powered tools that analyze your unique spending habits and preferences to find a card that fits your financial situation. The platform also provides insights into how applying for a new card could impact your credit score, helping you make a more informed decision.

Auto Loans and a 480 Credit Score

A 480 credit score places you in the deep subprime category, which can make securing an auto loan challenging but not impossible. Lenders will likely approve your loan but will charge significantly higher interest rates to offset the perceived risk.

According to a 2025 auto loan analysis, here are the average interest rates you can expect based on your credit score bracket:

• 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 480 Credit Score

With a 480 credit score, qualifying for a mortgage is highly unlikely. Mainstream loan programs have higher minimums; even FHA loans, known for flexibility, generally require a score of at least 500. According to an analysis of mortgage requirements, your options would be limited to rare specialty lenders, as very few mortgages are approved for borrowers with scores below 600.

If you find a lender, a 480 score leads to significant financial hurdles. Expect much higher interest rates, a large down payment, and extra fees like expensive mortgage insurance. Lenders would also likely cap the loan amount, limiting your purchasing power and making homeownership far more costly.

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 480 Credit Score

Improving your credit score is entirely possible, and taking consistent, positive actions can help you build a healthier credit profile over time. According to a guide on the topic, most people can see meaningful changes within three to six months.

• Apply for a secured credit card. This type of card is designed for those with poor or no credit and requires a cash deposit, making it easier to get approved. Your payments are reported to the credit bureaus, allowing you to build a positive history from the ground up.
• Establish automatic bill payments. Payment history is the largest factor in your credit score, so even one late payment can be damaging. Setting up auto-pay for all your accounts is a simple way to ensure you never miss a due date and consistently build a positive record.
• Become an authorized user. You can be added to the credit card of a trusted person with a good credit history, which adds their positive payment history to your own credit file. This can help boost your score without you needing to apply for new credit on your own.
• Consider a credit-builder loan. Offered by credit unions and online lenders, these loans are designed specifically to help you establish a positive payment history. As you make payments, the lender reports them to the credit bureaus, which also helps diversify your credit mix.

Using a financial companion like Kudos can help you manage your accounts and monitor your progress as you work to improve your score.