Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courrege/Bankrate
Your credit score can have an impact not only on your ability to get a mortgage, but also on the loan’s rate and terms. Mortgage lenders consider your score, alongside other factors like employment, income and debt, to determine whether you can realistically afford the home you want. While some mortgage programs open the door for those with lower credit scores, a higher score means you won’t be burdened with higher costs, so the better your score, the cheaper your mortgage overall.
2022 mortgage and credit score statistics
- 768 is the median credit score in the U.S. for those taking out a mortgage, according to Q3 2022 Federal Reserve Bank of New York data.
- The average credit score for first-time homebuyers is 746, according to a recent report from FannieMae.
- Minnesota is the state with the highest average credit score in the country, at 742, according to a 2022 Experian report.
- Residents of Mississippi have the lowest average credit scores nationwide at 681.
- The average mortgage debt is $229,242, per Experian’s most recent State of Credit data.
- Generation X borrowers have the highest average mortgage debt, at $259,100.
Credit score to buy a house
| Type of loan | Minimum credit score |
|---|
| Conventional | 620 |
| FHA | 580 |
| VA | No requirement, but generally low- to mid-600s |
| USDA | No requirement, but generally 640 |
Some types of mortgages have specific minimum credit score requirements.
A conventional loan requires a credit score of at least 620, but it’s ideal to have a score of 740 or above, which could allow you to make a lower down payment, get a more attractive interest rate and save on private mortgage insurance.
An FHA loan is accessible with a credit score as low as 580 or 500, depending on the down payment amount. That said, taking out an FHA loan with a very low credit score can still be a challenge, since lenders can impose their own higher credit minimums.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doesn’t set credit minimums for VA loans, but many VA lenders have their own credit requirements, typically in the low- to mid-600s. Similarly, USDA loans don’t have a credit score requirement by U.S. Department of Agriculture standards, but you should still be prepared to meet the minimum set by lenders, usually 640.
Credit scores and mortgage rates
Generally, the higher your credit score, the lower your mortgage rate and the less you’ll pay on a monthly basis and in interest overall. Depending on your credit, a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage for $286,400 could cost you:
| Credit score | APR | Monthly mortgage payment | Interest total |
|---|
| APRs as of Dec. 2022 Source: myFICO |
| 760-850 | 6.229% | $1,760 | $347,022 |
| 700-759 | 6.451% | $1,801 | $361,968 |
| 680-699 | 6.6628% | $1,834 | $373,991 |
| 660-679 | 6.842% | $1,875 | $388,648 |
| 640-659 | 7.272% | $1,958 | $418,490 |
| 620-639 | 7.818% | $2,065 | $457,100 |
Average mortgage debt by age group
Americans typically begin borrowing in young adulthood as they face major expenses like housing and education at a lower income level. They tend to borrow at a slower pace in middle age as incomes rise. As they age, Americans start deleveraging as they pay off their loans.
| Generation | Average credit score | Average mortgage debt |
|---|
| Source: Experian State of Credit Report, 2021 |
| Silent generation | 729 | $163,254 |
| Baby boomers | 724 | $198,203 |
| Generation X | 685 | $259,100 |
| Millennials | 667 | $255,527 |
| Generation Z | 660 | $192,276 |
Average credit score by state
The credit health of Americans varies across states. Minnesota has the highest average credit score, 742, followed by Vermont (736) and Wisconsin (735), according to Experian data. Mississippi (681) and Louisiana (689) have the lowest average scores.
Other factors in mortgage preapproval
Along with credit history and score, mortgage lenders take into account your:
- Employment history and income: Lenders want to see that you have a reliable source of income and a paper trail to prove it. Two or more years at the same company is a plus, and be prepared to provide tax returns from the last two years, as well.
- Down payment: A larger down payment can help you get approved and obtain a more favorable interest rate, but be careful not to eat into your emergency savings.
- Debt-to-income ratio: Lenders use your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio as a critical measure of an affordable monthly mortgage payment. A DTI ratio that’s too high could limit your options, even if you have good credit and stable income.
- Assets: You could be a more attractive borrower overall if you have substantial savings and other assets, like investment or retirement accounts.
FAQs
Improving your credit score can help you qualify for better mortgage rates. Start by getting current on any past due accounts, if applicable, and be sure to make timely payments moving forward. Pay down any credit card debt as much as you can, and if you owe in many different places, consider a debt-consolidation loan that rolls all your debts into one single monthly payment. Other ways to increase your credit score include avoiding applications for new credit and leaving old accounts in good standing open.
What credit score do you need to buy a house? Generally speaking, the higher the better. At the low end of the range, buyers with a credit score as low as 500 could be eligible for an FHA loan with a down payment of 10 percent; a score of 580 would require just 3.5 percent down. But you’d have to pay for private mortgage insurance as well. If you can get your score up to 620, you might qualify for a conventional loan or VA loan.
FICO scores range from 300 to 850, the higher the better. Any score above 670 is considered “good” — but scores of 740 to 799 are very good, and above 800 is exceptional.
It depends on the lender and loan program. USDA and VA loans are government-backed options without credit score minimums, but most lenders prefer a credit score of at least 640 and 620, respectively. To qualify for a no-down-payment mortgage through a commercial or private lender, you’ll likely need excellent credit.
FAQs
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.
What's a good enough credit score to buy a house? ›
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.
How big of a loan can I get with a 700 credit score? ›
You can borrow from $1,000 to $100,000 or more with a 700 credit score. The exact amount of money you will get depends on other factors besides your credit score, such as your income, your employment status, the type of loan you get, and even the lender.
What credit score is needed to buy a $400,000 house? ›
Most mortgages, including conventional loans, require a credit score of 620 or higher. It's possible to get an FHA loan with a credit score as low as 500, but many lenders require higher scores. Borrowers with higher credit scores get better rates and terms than those with low scores.
What credit score is needed for a 300K house? ›
The required credit score to buy a $300K house typically ranges from 580 to 720 or higher, depending on the type of loan. For an FHA loan, the minimum credit score is usually around 580.
How much can I borrow with a 580 credit score? ›
You can borrow anywhere from a few thousand dollars to $100,000+ with a 580 credit score. The exact amount of money you will get depends on other factors besides your credit score, such as your income, your employment status, the type of loan you get, and even the lender.
What credit score do I need to buy a $250000 house? ›
To qualify for a conventional loan, you'll need a credit score of at least 620, though some lenders may choose to approve conventional mortgage applications only for borrowers with credit scores of 680 and up.
How can I raise my credit score 100 points fast? ›
Here are 10 ways to increase your credit score by 100 points - most often this can be done within 45 days.
- Check your credit report. ...
- Pay your bills on time. ...
- Pay off any collections. ...
- Get caught up on past-due bills. ...
- Keep balances low on your credit cards. ...
- Pay off debt rather than continually transferring it.
Yes, you can buy a house if you make 25K a year. But purchasing a home on any income takes planning. You first need to understand how banks assess whether or not they'll give you a mortgage loan, what down payment assistance is available, and other factors that influence your ability to buy a house.
How much do you have to make to afford a 200k house? ›
According to the 28/36 rule, your mortgage payment should not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income. Hence, assuming no other debt, you'd need a monthly income before taxes and deductions of at least $5,821, or an annual gross income of at least $70,000 to be eligible for the mortgage.
The annual salary needed to afford a $400,000 home is about $127,000. Over the past few years, prospective homeowners have chased a moving target: homeownership. The median sales price of houses sold in the U.S. stood at $417,700 in the fourth quarter of 2023—down from a peak of $479,500 in Q4 2022.
How much income do you need to buy a $250,000 house? ›
How much do I need to make for a $250,000 house? A $250,000 home, with a 5% interest rate for 30 years and $12,500 (5%) down requires an annual income of $65,310.
How much income do I need for a 300K mortgage? ›
How much do I need to make to buy a $300K house? To purchase a $300K house, you may need to make between $50,000 and $74,500 a year. This is a rule of thumb, and the specific salary will vary depending on your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, type of home loan, loan term, and mortgage rate.
Can I afford a 300k house on a 70K salary? ›
If you make $70K a year, you can likely afford a home between $290,000 and $310,000*. Depending on your personal finances, that's a monthly house payment between $2,000 and $2,500. Keep in mind that figure will include your monthly mortgage payment, taxes, and insurance.
How much is a 20% down payment on a $350 000 house? ›
The median downpayment on a home is 13%, but if a buyer wants to avoid fees, including private mortgage insurance, they may have to put at least 20% down. If a buyer puts 20% down and takes out a $350K mortgage, they're likely putting down around $87,500.
Can I afford a 300k house on a 60k salary? ›
An individual earning $60,000 a year may buy a home worth ranging from $180,000 to over $300,000. That's because your wage isn't the only factor that affects your house purchase budget. Your credit score, existing debts, mortgage rates, and a variety of other considerations must all be taken into account.
Can you buy a house with a 600 credit score? ›
Yes, you can buy a house with a 600 credit score — but it would be less challenging if your score were higher. A 600 score will not be high enough to qualify for a conventional home loan, so look into FHA loans, which have lower requirements: 500 with a 10 percent down payment, and 580 with a 3.5 percent down payment.
Can I buy a house with a 700 credit score? ›
Yes. Assuming the rest of your finances are solid, a credit score of 700 should qualify you for all major loan programs: conventional, FHA, VA and USDA loans all have lower minimum requirements, and even jumbo loans require a 700 score at minimum.
Is a 750 credit score good for a house? ›
A 750 credit score generally falls into the "very good" range, which shows lenders that you're a very dependable borrower. People with credit scores within this range tend to qualify for loans and secure the best mortgage rates.
Is a 720 credit score good enough to buy a house? ›
Home loans
Assuming you have enough income, a 720 credit score is likely high enough to help you get a government-backed mortgage such as an FHA for VA loan. However, it's probably not high enough to get the lowest interest rates available.
