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591 Credit score: What You Need to Know in 2025
July 1, 2025
TL;DR
A 591 credit score is a foundational step toward building a stronger financial profile, though it may not unlock the most favorable loan terms immediately. This score places you in the "Fair" FICO credit score category, creating a clear opportunity to begin improving your financial standing.
What Does a 591 Credit Score Mean?
A credit score of 591 places you in the "fair" category on the FICO scale. While not considered poor, it's below the national average and can present some financial hurdles. Lenders may view scores in this range as carrying more risk, which often translates to higher interest rates on loans and credit cards or more difficulty getting approved for new credit.
However, a 591 score is not a permanent setback. Think of it as a foundation for building a stronger credit history. While you may not qualify for the most premium products right now, this score puts you on the cusp of better financial opportunities. It's a solid starting point from which to work toward a healthier financial future and more favorable lending terms.
Who Has a 591 Credit Score?
Credit scores often correlate with age, generally increasing as individuals get older. According to 2023 Experian data, the average FICO score varies significantly across different generations:
- Ages 18-26 (Generation Z): 680
- Ages 27-42 (Millennials): 690
- Ages 43-58 (Generation X): 709
- Ages 59-77 (Baby Boomers): 745
- Ages 78+ (Silent Generation): 760
Credit Cards With a 591 Credit Score
A credit score of 591 places you in the "fair" credit range, which can present some hurdles when applying for a new credit card. Lenders may view your application as higher risk, often resulting in higher interest rates and lower credit limits if you are approved. While top-tier rewards cards might be temporarily out of reach, there are still accessible options, including secured cards, designed to help you build a stronger credit history.
Kudos offers an AI-powered Explore Tool that acts as a personalized recommendation engine, asking what you're looking for in a card, such as low interest rates or specific rewards. Based on your input, the tool matches you with suitable options from its database of nearly 3,000 cards, helping you find a card that fits your financial situation.
Auto Loans and a 591 Credit Score
A 591 credit score places you in the subprime borrower category, which lenders view as a higher risk. According to a recent auto loan analysis, this means you can expect to face significantly higher interest rates than 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 591 Credit Score
A 591 credit score generally won't qualify you for a conventional loan, which typically requires a minimum of 620. However, you may be eligible for government-backed programs. An FHA loan is your most likely path, as it allows scores of 580 with a 3.5% down payment. USDA and VA loans are also potential, but less certain, options, as lenders often prefer higher scores.
This score will lead to less favorable loan terms, including higher interest rates and fees. For instance, borrowers with scores slightly above yours faced average rates near 7.8% in mid-2024. Lenders will also scrutinize your application more closely through a process called manual underwriting, requiring more documentation to offset the perceived risk.
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 591 Credit Score
Your credit score plays a huge role in your financial life, but the good news is that it's never set in stone. With consistent effort, you can use proven methods to improve your creditworthiness and financial health.
- Monitor your credit reports. You can get free reports from all three major bureaus to check for inaccuracies that could be dragging down your score. Disputing errors and having them removed is one of the fastest ways to see a potential score increase.
- Set up automatic bill payments. Since payment history is the single biggest factor in your score, ensuring you never miss a payment is critical. This prevents further damage to your 591 score and starts building a positive track record.
- Lower your credit utilization ratio. Aim to use less than 30% of your available credit by paying down balances. This is the second most important scoring factor, and reducing a high ratio can provide a significant and relatively quick boost to your score.
- Become an authorized user. If you have a trusted friend or family member with a strong credit history, being added to their account can help. Their positive payment history and low utilization will be added to your credit file, which is especially helpful if your own history is damaged or limited.
As you work on these habits, using a tool like Kudos can help you make smarter spending decisions and maximize any rewards.
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