Who Has a 599 Credit Score?

• Generation Z (ages 18-25) has an average FICO score of 680.
• Millennials (ages 26-41) hold a slightly higher average score of 690.
• Generation X (ages 42-57) comes in with an average credit score of 709.
• Baby Boomers (ages 58-76) maintain an average score of 745.
• The Silent Generation (ages 77 and older) boasts the highest average score at 760, according to 2023 data.

Credit Cards With a 599 Credit Score

A credit score of 599 places you in the "fair" credit range, which can be a bit of a mixed bag when applying for a new credit card. While you'll likely have more options than someone with a poor score, lenders may still view you as a higher-risk borrower. This can result in facing higher interest rates, lower credit limits, and a smaller selection of cards to choose from, often those specifically designed for credit-building.

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Kudos can help you navigate this process with its AI-driven tools, which analyze your spending habits and financial goals to provide personalized recommendations. These tools also offer insights into how a new card might affect your credit score, helping you make a choice that supports your credit-building journey.

Auto Loans and a 599 Credit Score

A 599 credit score places you in the subprime lending category, which can make securing an auto loan more challenging and expensive. While you may still qualify for financing, you should expect to face significantly higher interest rates compared to borrowers with better credit.

Based on Experian's Q2 2025 data, here are the average auto loan interest rates for different credit score tiers:

• 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 599 Credit Score

A 599 credit score limits your mortgage options but doesn't disqualify you. Conventional loans are generally unavailable, as lenders typically require a score of 620. Your most likely path is a government-backed FHA loan. FHA guidelines permit scores of 580 with a 3.5% down payment, making it an accessible option for many buyers.

However, a lower score directly impacts your loan terms. You can expect a higher interest rate, increasing the total cost of your loan significantly. You will also have to pay FHA mortgage insurance premiums. Lenders will likely subject your application to stricter underwriting, closely examining your overall financial health 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 payment history, which tracks whether you pay your bills on time, is the most significant factor.
• Credit utilization, or the amount of credit you're using compared to your total available credit, also plays a major role.
• The length of your credit history demonstrates your experience with managing credit over time.
• Having a healthy mix of different types of credit, such as credit cards and installment loans, can positively impact your score.
• Finally, recent credit inquiries, which occur when you apply for new credit, are also taken into account.

How to Improve Your 599 Credit Score

Improving your credit score is an achievable goal that requires consistent, positive financial behaviors. Whether you're looking to boost your FICO® Score or VantageScore, a few proven methods can help you build a healthier credit profile and improve your creditworthiness.

• Monitor your credit reports. You can get free reports from the major credit bureaus to check for inaccuracies or signs of identity theft that could be dragging your score down. Disputing errors is a direct way to fix issues and see potential score improvements.
• Establish automatic bill payments. Your payment history is the most significant factor in your credit score, so setting up automatic payments ensures you never miss a due date. This prevents late payments from further damaging your score and starts building a positive track record.
• Reduce your credit utilization ratio. Aim to keep your credit card balances below 30% of your total credit limit, as this is the second most important factor in your score. Paying down balances shows lenders you can manage credit responsibly, which is crucial for rebuilding your financial reputation.
• Become an authorized user. Being added to a credit card account belonging to a trusted person with a strong payment history can add their positive credit habits to your report. This can be a quick way to boost your score by benefiting from their low utilization and on-time payments.

To help you use your existing cards more strategically, the Kudos browser extension can help you maximize rewards while you work on improving your score.