Who Has a 514 Credit Score?

• 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 and older): 760

This generational breakdown from Experian shows a clear trend where average credit scores rise steadily with age, as consumers have more time to build a positive payment history and a diverse mix of credit accounts.

Credit Cards With a 514 Credit Score

A credit score of 514 falls into the "poor" range, which can significantly hinder your ability to qualify for most credit cards. Lenders view this score as high-risk, meaning you'll likely face rejections for standard unsecured cards that offer rewards or low interest rates. While it's a challenging situation, options like secured credit cards are often still accessible and can be a stepping stone to rebuilding your credit.

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Kudos simplifies the search for a suitable credit card with its AI-powered tools that cater to your specific financial situation. The platform analyzes your preferences and spending habits to provide personalized recommendations, helping you find the best match from its extensive card database.

Auto Loans and a 514 Credit Score

A 514 credit score places you in the subprime lending category, which can make securing an auto loan more difficult. While approval is still possible, you should anticipate being offered significantly higher interest rates than borrowers with stronger credit profiles.

According to a 2025 analysis of auto loans, average interest rates vary significantly based on 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 514 Credit Score

A 514 credit score significantly limits your mortgage options, but homeownership isn't impossible. Your most viable path is likely an FHA loan, which has minimum credit score requirements down to 500. However, with a score below 580, you must provide a down payment of at least 10%. Conventional loans are generally unavailable, though some specialty lenders might offer non-prime mortgages.

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Securing a loan with a 514 score means facing less favorable terms. You should expect a much higher interest rate, which substantially increases the total cost of the loan. Lenders will also scrutinize your finances more closely, and FHA loans require mortgage insurance premiums, adding to your monthly payment.

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 514 Credit Score

No matter your starting point, improving your credit score is always possible. Whether you're looking to boost your FICO® or VantageScore, there are proven methods to improve your financial standing and build a healthier credit profile.

• Establish automatic bill payments. Since payment history is the single largest factor in your credit score, setting up auto-pay is the best way to prevent late payments from further damaging a poor score.
• Reduce your credit utilization ratio. Keeping your balances low relative to your credit limits can significantly boost your score, as this is the second most important factor in credit calculations.
• Apply for a secured credit card. For those with damaged credit, a secured card allows you to build a positive payment history when you might not qualify for traditional cards.
• Monitor your credit reports regularly. A low score can often be dragged down by errors or old collection accounts, so finding and disputing inaccuracies on your report can provide a direct and meaningful boost.

Using a tool like Kudos can help you make smarter spending decisions and select the right credit products as you work to improve your score.