Who Has a 487 Credit Score?

While age isn't a direct factor in calculating your credit score, there is a clear correlation between age and the average score. Generally, as people get older, their credit scores tend to improve due to factors like a longer credit history and more experience managing debt. According to a 2023 generational analysis, here is the average FICO score for each age group:

• 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 487 Credit Score

A credit score of 487 falls into the poor credit range, which can significantly hinder your ability to qualify for most traditional credit cards. Lenders view this score as an indicator of high risk, meaning you're more likely to face rejections from major card issuers. Your options will likely be limited to products designed for building credit, such as secured credit cards, which require a cash deposit to open.

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Kudos' AI-powered tools, like Dream Wallet, analyze your real-time spending habits to provide personalized credit card recommendations tailored to your financial situation. The platform also offers insights into how applying for a new card could impact your credit, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your financial goals.

Auto Loans and a 487 Credit Score

A 487 credit score places you in the deep subprime category, which can make securing an auto loan more difficult. If approved, you will likely face some of the highest interest rates offered by lenders.

According to a 2025 analysis of auto loans, here is a breakdown of average interest rates by credit score:

• 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 487 Credit Score

A 487 credit score is considered poor and falls below the minimum threshold for nearly all mortgage types. While government-backed FHA loans are known for their flexibility, they typically require a minimum score of 500 with a 10% down payment. According to mortgage requirements, very few borrowers secure a mortgage with a score under 600. Your only potential path might be a non-prime mortgage from a specialty lender, but these are rare and come with stringent conditions.

Even if you find a willing lender, a low credit score significantly impacts your loan terms. You can expect much higher interest rates, which will cost you thousands more over the life of the loan compared to a borrower with good credit. Lenders will also likely require a larger down payment, charge higher fees, and subject your application to manual underwriting, where your entire financial profile is scrutinized much more closely.

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 487 Credit Score

Improving your credit score is entirely possible with consistent, positive financial habits. While a 487 score is considered poor, taking deliberate steps can lead to meaningful improvement over time.

• Monitor your credit reports. Regularly checking your reports helps you spot and dispute inaccuracies that could be dragging down your score. This also allows you to track your progress as you work to build better credit.
• Apply for a secured credit card. For those with damaged credit, a secured card is a powerful tool for building a positive payment history. Responsible use demonstrates your creditworthiness and can eventually help you qualify for traditional, unsecured cards.
• Establish automatic bill payments. Your payment history is the single most important factor in your credit score. Setting up automatic payments ensures you never miss a due date, which is the foundation of rebuilding your credit profile.
• Reduce your credit utilization. Lenders view high balances as a risk, so paying down your existing debt is crucial. Keeping your credit utilization low shows that you can manage credit responsibly and can give your score a significant boost.

You can use a financial companion like Kudos to help manage your cards and monitor your score as you improve your credit.