Who Has a 657 Credit Score?

While a 657 credit score is below the national average, where you stand often depends on your age group. Credit scores tend to improve over time as consumers build a longer credit history. According to the average credit scores by generation from 2023, the breakdown is as follows:

• 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 657 Credit Score

A credit score of 657 places you in the "fair" credit range, which is a common starting point for many people building their credit history. While this score will likely qualify you for a variety of credit cards, you may not have access to the most premium options with top-tier rewards or the lowest interest rates. Lenders might approve you for cards with higher annual percentage rates (APRs) or lower credit limits until you demonstrate a longer history of responsible credit use.

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To find the best card for your specific financial situation, Kudos offers personalized recommendation engines like the Explore Tool, which uses a quiz to find matches, and the AI-powered Dream Wallet, which analyzes your actual spending habits. These services also provide insights into how applying for a new card might impact your credit score, helping you make a well-informed decision.

Auto Loans and a 657 Credit Score

A 657 credit score places you in the "non-prime" borrower category, meaning you can likely get approved for an auto loan but won't qualify for the most competitive rates. Lenders see this score as having a moderate level of risk, which translates to higher interest payments over the life of your loan.

According to Experian's Q2 2025 automotive report, here are the average rates across different credit 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 657 Credit Score

A 657 credit score is strong enough to qualify for most major home loans. According to minimum credit score requirements, you can likely get approved for conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans. However, this score is typically too low for a jumbo loan, as lenders usually look for a score of 700 or higher for larger mortgages.

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While you are eligible for these loans, a 657 score will impact your terms. You can expect to receive a higher interest rate than borrowers with scores in the 700s, leading to higher monthly payments. Additionally, if you opt for a conventional loan with a small down payment, your private mortgage insurance (PMI) premiums will likely be more expensive.

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 657 Credit Score

Your credit score plays a huge role in your financial life, but it's not set in stone. No matter if you're working with a FICO® score or VantageScore, there are proven methods to improve your creditworthiness and build a healthier financial profile.

• Reduce your credit utilization ratio. Keeping your credit card balances low, ideally under 30% of your total limit, shows lenders you can manage credit responsibly. For a 657 score, lowering your utilization is one of the fastest ways to see a positive change and demonstrate financial stability.
• Establish automatic bill payments. Your payment history is the single most important factor in your credit score, so paying bills on time is non-negotiable. Setting up automatic payments ensures you never miss a due date, which is essential for moving a 657 score into the 'good' credit range.
• Address collection accounts. Outstanding collection accounts can significantly drag down your score and act as a red flag for lenders. Settling or negotiating the removal of these accounts from your report is a critical step in cleaning up your credit history and rebuilding from a 657 score.
• Become an authorized user. By being added to a family member's or friend's credit card account, their positive payment history and low utilization can be added to your credit file. This can help someone with a 657 score by increasing their average account age and lowering their overall credit utilization.

Kudos can help you find the right credit products and maximize rewards as you work to improve your score.