Is there a difference between 800 and 850 credit score?
Just getting your credit score over 800, officially an excellent credit score, gives you the same advantages and benefits that come with a perfect credit score. Experian reports that 21 percent of all consumers have achieved excellent credit, compared to just 1.6 percent with a perfect 850 credit score.
Only about 1.6% of the 232 million U.S. consumers with a credit score have a perfect 850, according to FICO's most recent statistics.
Your 850 FICO® Score is nearly perfect and will be seen as a sign of near-flawless credit management. Your likelihood of defaulting on your bills will be considered extremely low, and you can expect lenders to offer you their best deals, including the lowest-available interest rates.
It's exceedingly rare for anyone to have a credit score over 900, as most credit scoring models have a maximum limit of 850, and even achieving that score is uncommon.
Less than 21% of people have a credit score over 800. A credit score of 800+ is considered perfect credit, indicates that a borrower uses credit very responsibly, and qualifies the person for the best loan and credit card terms.
In the U.S., the average credit score is 716, per Experian's latest data from the second quarter of 2023. And when you break down the average credit score by age, the typical American is hovering near or above that score.
While older models of credit scores used to go as high as 900, you can no longer achieve a 900 credit score. The highest score you can receive today is 850. Anything above 800 is considered an excellent credit score.
If you have an 850 credit score, your credit is perfect—but any credit score over 800 is considered exceptional, and that's just as good.
Average FICO 8 Score by Generation | ||
---|---|---|
Generation | 2022 | 2023 |
Generation Z (ages 18-26) | 679 - Good | 680 - Good |
Millennials (27-42) | 687 - Good | 690 - Good |
Generation X (43-58) | 707 - Good | 709 - Good |
1.31% of Americans with a FICO® Score have a perfect 850 credit score -- based on the number of adults eligible for a FICO® Score, there could be about 3.04 million with perfect credit. You don't need a perfect credit score, as a score of 760 is enough to get all the same financial benefits.
What is a perfect FICO score?
A perfect credit score of 850 is hard to get, but an excellent credit score is more achievable. If you want to get the best credit cards, mortgages and competitive loan rates — which can save you money over time — excellent credit can help you qualify.
It's recommended you have a credit score of 620 or higher when you apply for a conventional loan. If your score is below 620, lenders either won't be able to approve your loan or may be required to offer you a higher interest rate, which can result in higher monthly mortgage payments.
But he has one more thing that most people would really, really love to have: a credit score that is higher than almost everyone else in the country. Pavelka, 56, has a credit score of 848 out of 850.
Average credit score in the US climbs to 715 in 2023: Here's why that matters. The average FICO Score in the United States was 715 in 2023, according to Experian data, increasing by one point from its 714 average in the third quarter (Q3) of 2022.
The percent of the population with the highest credit score of 850 is relatively small but has been increasing. As of April 2023, about 1.7% of the U.S. scorable population had a perfect 850 FICO® Score.
Your score falls in the range of scores, from 800 to 850, that is considered Exceptional. Your FICO® Score and is well above the average credit score. Consumers with scores in this range may expect easy approvals when applying for new credit. 21% of all consumers have FICO® Scores in the Exceptional range.
While income doesn't have a direct impact on your credit score, it can have an indirect impact since you need to have sufficient income to pay your bills. And if you don't make enough money to cover your bills, you can rack up debt or miss payments, which can negatively impact your credit score.
In 2021, people aged 18 to 24 averaged 679, while those 76 and up had an average credit score of 760.
For a score with a range between 300 and 850, a credit score of 700 or above is generally considered good. A score of 800 or above on the same range is considered to be excellent. Most consumers have credit scores that fall between 600 and 750. In 2022, the average FICO® Score☉ in the U.S. reached 714.
It's generally recommended that you have two to three credit card accounts at a time, in addition to other types of credit. Remember that your total available credit and your debt to credit ratio can impact your credit scores. If you have more than three credit cards, it may be hard to keep track of monthly payments.
Is it good or bad to have a credit card?
The biggest advantage of a credit card is its easy access to credit. Credit cards function on a deferred payment basis, which means you get to use your card now and pay for your purchases later. The money used does not go out of your account, thus not denting your bank balance every time you swipe.
An 800 credit score shows lenders you are an exceptional borrower. You may qualify for better mortgage and auto loan terms with a high credit score. You may also qualify for credit cards with better rewards and perks, such as access to airport lounges and free hotel breakfasts.
According to a report by FICO, only 23% of the scorable population has a credit score of 800 or above.
A score of 850 can only be achieved with 10+ years of credit, excellent on-time payment history, low credit utilization, and no recent hard inquiries, which is a tall ask.
It's a bank card score provided by American Express, based on your Experian credit report. The bottom line: The highest possible score under the FICO 8 bank card scorecard isn't 850, it's 900. That's still a fantastic score. It's roughly the equivalent of 803 on a general FICO scale.
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