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485 Credit score: What You Need to Know in 2025
July 1, 2025
TL;DR
A 485 credit score provides a clear opportunity to build a stronger financial future, though it may present some initial challenges. This score falls into the "Poor" FICO score category, signaling that there are specific areas you can focus on to significantly improve your credit standing.
What Does a 485 Credit Score Mean?
A credit score of 485 places you squarely in the "poor" range of the FICO scoring model, which runs from 300 to 850. This score indicates to lenders that you represent a significant credit risk, which can create major financial hurdles. You'll likely face rejections for new loans and credit cards. If you do get approved, it will almost certainly be for products with very high interest rates and unfavorable terms, making borrowing an expensive proposition.
While a 485 score presents considerable challenges, it is not a permanent state. Think of it as a clear signal that it's time to focus on rebuilding your credit history. The path to a healthier score is a gradual one, but recognizing your current standing is the crucial first step. From here, you can begin the journey toward improving your financial outlook and accessing better opportunities down the road.
Who Has a 485 Credit Score?
While a 485 credit score is significantly below the national average, it's helpful to understand how scores typically vary across different age groups. Data from Experian shows a clear trend: credit scores tend to increase with age. Here are the average FICO scores by generation for 2023:
- Generation Z (ages 18-26): 680 (Good)
- Millennials (ages 27-42): 690 (Good)
- Generation X (ages 43-58): 709 (Good)
- Baby Boomers (ages 59-77): 745 (Good)
- Silent Generation (ages 78+): 760 (Very Good)
Credit Cards With a 485 Credit Score
A credit score of 485 places you in the "poor" credit range, signaling to lenders that you may be a high-risk borrower. Consequently, you'll likely find it difficult to get approved for most traditional unsecured credit cards, as issuers are more cautious with applicants in this scoring tier. Your options will probably be limited to secured cards or specific unsecured cards for bad credit, which may come with higher interest rates and fees.
Kudos can help you find the right card with its AI-powered 'Explore Tool', which generates personalized recommendations based on your stated preferences. The platform is designed to match you with cards that fit your financial situation, helping you find suitable options to build credit responsibly.
Auto Loans and a 485 Credit Score
A credit score of 485 places you in the deep subprime category, which can make securing an auto loan challenging. Lenders view this score as high-risk, resulting in significantly higher interest rates compared to borrowers with better credit.
- Super-prime (781-850): 5.25% for new cars, 7.13% for used cars
- Prime (661-780): 6.87% for new cars, 9.36% for used cars
- Non-prime (601-660): 9.83% for new cars, 13.92% for used cars
- Subprime (501-600): 13.18% for new cars, 18.86% for used cars
- Deep subprime (300-500): 15.77% for new cars, 21.55% for used cars
Mortgages at a 485 Credit Score
A 485 credit score places you in the "bad" credit range, making it very difficult to qualify for a mortgage. Conventional loans are generally out of reach, as lenders typically require a minimum score of at least 620. While government-backed FHA loans are more lenient, their absolute minimum is 500, putting a 485 score below the usual threshold. Your only potential avenues might be specialty subprime lenders, but these options are rare and come with very strict conditions.
Even if you find a willing lender, a 485 score leads to unfavorable loan terms. Expect significantly higher interest rates, which will dramatically increase your monthly payments and the total cost of the loan. Lenders will also require a much larger down payment to offset their risk—at least 10% for an FHA loan, for example. Additionally, you'll likely face higher fees and more expensive mortgage insurance premiums, further increasing the cost of borrowing.
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 generally boils down to a handful of key elements. The most common factors include:
- Your history of making payments on time is the most significant factor.
- How much of your available credit you're currently using, known as your credit utilization ratio, plays a major role.
- The age of your credit accounts, including the average age and the age of your oldest account, is also considered.
- Lenders like to see that you can responsibly manage different types of credit, such as credit cards and loans.
- Opening several new credit accounts in a short period can be seen as a risk and may temporarily lower your score.
How to Improve Your 485 Credit Score
While a 485 credit score can be a significant hurdle, it is absolutely possible to improve it with the right strategy and consistent effort. There are several proven methods you can implement to begin rebuilding your credit and working toward a healthier financial future.
- Establish automatic bill payments. Payment history is the most significant factor in your credit score, so making on-time payments is the most important action you can take. Setting up automatic payments ensures you never miss a due date, which is essential for building a positive track record.
- Reduce your credit utilization ratio. This ratio measures how much of your available credit you are using, and a high ratio can severely lower your score. Paying down balances to get this ratio below 30% shows lenders you can manage debt responsibly and can provide a quick boost.
- Apply for a secured credit card. For those with poor credit, a secured card is a powerful rebuilding tool that requires a small security deposit as collateral. Your responsible use and on-time payments are reported to the credit bureaus, helping you establish a positive payment history.
- Monitor your credit reports. A low score could be the result of errors or inaccuracies on your credit reports from Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. Regularly reviewing your free reports allows you to spot and dispute these errors, which can lead to a significant score increase once corrected.
The free AI-powered browser extension from Kudos can help you manage your cards and monitor your score as you work to improve it.
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