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674 Credit score: What You Need to Know in 2025
July 1, 2025

TL;DR
A 674 credit score is a solid foundation that puts many financial opportunities within your reach. This score falls comfortably within the 'Good' range for FICO, signaling to lenders that you are a reliable borrower.
What Does a 674 Credit Score Mean?
A credit score of 674 places you squarely in the "good" range on the FICO scale, which runs from 300 to 850. Lenders generally view this as a positive sign, meaning you're a relatively dependable borrower. While you'll likely qualify for many loans and credit cards, you may not secure the absolute best interest rates, which are typically reserved for those with higher scores. This can directly impact the overall cost of borrowing money.
Consider a 674 score a strong foundation. It opens doors to many financial products and puts you on the cusp of even better terms. While you have access to credit, there is a clear path forward to improve your standing. Building on this positive history can unlock more favorable rates, significantly influencing your long-term financial health.
Who Has a 674 Credit Score?
Credit scores generally improve with age, as people have more time to establish a positive payment history and lengthen their credit history. According to 2023 Experian data, the average FICO score varies significantly across different generations:
- 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 674 Credit Score
A credit score of 674 places you in the "fair" credit range, which can be a mixed bag when applying for new credit cards. While you'll likely qualify for a decent selection of cards, you may not have access to the most premium options offering the best rewards or lowest interest rates. Lenders might also approve you for a lower credit limit or assign a higher APR until you demonstrate a longer history of responsible credit use.
Kudos offers an AI-powered tool called Dream Wallet that analyzes your real-time transaction data to recommend cards perfectly matched to your spending habits and financial goals. The tool also provides insights into how a new card could affect your credit score, ensuring you can choose an option that helps you build credit responsibly.
Auto Loans and a 674 Credit Score
A 674 credit score places you in the "prime" borrower category, making you a good candidate for auto loan approval. While you can expect to receive competitive interest rates, they will be slightly higher than those offered to borrowers with the best credit scores.
- 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, according to a 2025 analysis.
Mortgages at a 674 Credit Score
A 674 credit score puts you in a solid position to secure a home loan. You'll likely qualify for most major mortgage types, including conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans, as your score is above the typical minimum requirements for each. This gives you access to a variety of financing options, including programs with low down payments. However, jumbo loans for larger amounts generally require a score of 700 or more, placing them just out of reach.
While a 674 score is sufficient for approval, it will affect your loan's cost. Lenders offer better terms to less risky borrowers with higher scores. You can expect a higher interest rate and potentially steeper private mortgage insurance (PMI) premiums than someone with a score over 700. This means your monthly payment and the total interest paid over the life of the loan will be higher.
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 674 Credit Score
Improving your credit score is always possible with time and consistent effort. With a 674 FICO® score, you're on the cusp of 'good' credit, and a few strategic moves can help you see meaningful improvement in just a few months.
- Monitor your credit reports. Regularly checking your reports from all three bureaus allows you to spot and dispute inaccuracies that could be unfairly dragging your score down. For a 674 score, removing even one error could be the push you need to get into the 'good' credit range.
- Reduce your credit utilization ratio. This ratio is a major factor in your score, and keeping it below 30% shows lenders you're a responsible borrower. Lowering your utilization is one of the fastest ways to boost a 674 score and unlock better interest rates.
- Set up automatic bill payments. Your payment history is the single most important component of your credit score. Ensuring every bill is paid on time prevents late payments from damaging your score and helps you build the positive history needed to move beyond the 'fair' credit tier.
- Become an authorized user. If you have a trusted friend or family member with excellent credit, being added to their account can add their positive payment history to your file. This can be a quick way to improve a 674 score, especially if your own credit history is short.
Using a free tool like Kudos can help you find the right credit-building cards and maximize your rewards as your score improves.
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