Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
596 Credit score: What You Need to Know in 2025
July 1, 2025
TL;DR
While a 596 credit score presents some challenges, it's a strong foundation for building a healthier financial future. This score places you in the "Fair" credit range, meaning you're well-positioned to take steps toward improvement.
What Does a 596 Credit Score Mean?
A credit score of 596 places you in the "fair" category on the FICO scale. While not considered poor, it's below the U.S. average and can create financial hurdles. Lenders may view this score as a sign of higher risk, making it harder to get approved for new credit. If approved, you'll likely face higher interest rates and less favorable terms than applicants with higher scores.
However, a 596 score is not a permanent setback but a foundation to build upon. You're positioned on the cusp of the "good" credit range, a common starting point for many. This score represents a clear opportunity for growth, and improving your standing is an achievable goal that can unlock better financial products and opportunities down the road.
Who Has a 596 Credit Score?
While age isn't a direct factor in credit score calculations, there is a clear correlation showing scores tend to improve over time. According to 2023 Experian data, here are the average FICO scores broken down by 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 596 Credit Score
A 596 credit score places you in the "fair" credit range, which can be a bit of a mixed bag when applying for credit cards. While you'll likely find some lenders willing to extend you a line of credit, your options may be limited to cards with lower credit limits, higher interest rates, and fewer rewards. Lenders often view this score as an indicator of some risk, so you might face more scrutiny or need to opt for a secured card to build a stronger credit history.
Kudos offers AI-powered tools that analyze your spending habits and financial goals to provide personalized credit card recommendations. By comparing thousands of options, including cards designed for building credit, the platform helps you find the most suitable match for your financial situation.
Auto Loans and a 596 Credit Score
A 596 credit score places you in the subprime lending tier, meaning lenders will view you as a higher-risk borrower. While you can still get approved for a loan, you should expect to face significantly higher interest rates and less favorable terms.
Based on Experian's Q2 2025 report, here is how average auto loan rates break down by credit score:
- 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 596 Credit Score
While a 596 credit score falls below the typical 620 minimum for a conventional loan, it doesn't completely disqualify you from homeownership. Your most likely option is an FHA loan, which has more flexible credit score requirements. With a score of 580 or higher, you can qualify for an FHA loan with a down payment as low as 3.5%. While some VA or USDA lenders might consider your application, most prefer higher scores.
A sub-600 score will impact your loan terms. You can expect to face higher interest rates compared to borrowers with stronger credit, potentially costing you thousands more over the loan's lifetime. For an FHA loan, you will also be required to pay mortgage insurance premiums. Lenders will likely subject your financial profile to stricter underwriting, scrutinizing your income and debt more closely before approval.
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 factors.
Your payment history tracks whether you've paid past credit accounts on time.
Credit utilization is the percentage of your available credit that you're currently using.
The length of your credit history considers the age of your oldest account, newest 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, installment loans, and mortgages.
New credit accounts for how many new accounts you've recently opened and the number of hard inquiries on your report.
How to Improve Your 596 Credit Score
No matter your starting point, improving your credit score is always possible. There are several proven methods you can use to boost your creditworthiness and build a healthier financial profile.
- Monitor your credit reports. Regularly checking your reports from all three bureaus helps you spot and dispute inaccuracies that could be unfairly dragging down your score.
- Set up automatic bill payments. Since payment history is the single most important factor in your score, ensuring every bill is paid on time is a foundational step toward recovery.
- Lower your credit utilization. Aim to keep your balances below 30% of your credit limit, as this shows lenders you can manage debt responsibly and aren't over-reliant on credit.
- Apply for a secured credit card. If you're struggling to get approved for traditional cards, a secured card allows you to build a positive payment history and demonstrate creditworthiness to lenders.
As you work on your credit, use the free Kudos browser extension to make smarter spending decisions and maximize your rewards.
Supercharge Your Credit Cards
Experience smarter spending with Kudos and unlock more from your credit cards. Earn $20.00 when you sign up for Kudos with "GET20" and make an eligible Kudos Boost purchase.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
