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The average U.S. credit score is around 713 as of 2026, but that number hides a huge age gap. Gen Z averages roughly 680, while the Silent Generation (78 and older) averages closer to 760, an 80-point spread driven mostly by how long each generation has had credit accounts open.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Average scores by generation in 2026: Gen Z ~680, Millennials ~696, Gen X ~709, Boomers ~745, Silent Generation ~760.
- Age is one of the strongest predictors of credit score, largely because length of credit history is a direct scoring factor and older generations simply have more of it.
- A “good” score does not depend on your age. Lenders apply the same score bands (like 670+ for “good”) to everyone, regardless of generation.
- Being below your generation’s average is common and not a red flag by itself. What matters is your own trend over time.
- Younger borrowers can close the gap faster than it took older generations to build it, since payment history and utilization matter more than age alone.
Average Credit Score by Age and Generation in 2026
| Generation | Approx. age range | Average score |
|---|---|---|
| Gen Z | 18-27 | ~680 |
| Millennials | 28-43 | ~696 |
| Gen X | 44-59 | ~709 |
| Baby Boomers | 60-78 | ~745 |
| Silent Generation | 79+ | ~760 |
Figures reflect commonly cited 2026 industry data and are meant to show the general trend rather than an exact personal benchmark. Your own number can vary widely within any generation.
Why Does Credit Score Go Up With Age?
It comes down to how your credit score is calculated. Length of credit history makes up a meaningful chunk of your FICO score, and it is the one factor that mathematically cannot be rushed. Every year you keep an account open and in good standing adds to your average account age, which is why a 55-year-old with two decades of on-time payments has a structural head start over a 22-year-old who opened their first card last year.
Older borrowers have also typically had more time to pay off collections, recover from any past missed payments, and build a wider mix of account types (mortgage, auto loan, credit cards), all of which factor into the score.
Should You Worry If You’re Below Your Generation’s Average?
Not necessarily. These are averages across millions of people with very different financial situations, not a target you are expected to hit by a certain birthday. A 24-year-old with a 640 score is not “behind,” they are simply early in building a credit file, and score generally improves with time and responsible use, regardless of generation.
What matters more than comparing yourself to a generational average is knowing what counts as a good score for the specific thing you are trying to do, whether that is renting an apartment, qualifying for a car loan, or getting approved for a mortgage. Those thresholds do not adjust for your age.
How Fast Can You Close the Age Gap?
Faster than you might think, because length of history is only one of five scoring factors, not the only one. Payment history and credit utilization carry more combined weight, and both respond quickly to good habits.
- Become an authorized user on a family member’s older, well-managed card to potentially inherit some of that account’s age. See our authorized user strategy guide.
- Keep your oldest account open, even if you rarely use it, since closing it removes that history from your average account age calculation.
- Focus hard on utilization and on-time payments, the two factors you can influence within a single billing cycle. See our guide to improving your credit score fast.
- Check where you stand against the 700 milestone. Our guide on how long it takes to reach a 700 score breaks down realistic timelines starting from scratch.
FAQ
What is a good credit score for my age?
Lenders use the same score bands for everyone regardless of age, generally 670+ for “good” and 740+ for “very good.” Being below your generation’s average is not the same as having a bad score by lender standards.
Why do younger people have lower credit scores on average?
Mainly because length of credit history is a direct scoring factor, and younger borrowers have simply had fewer years to build one, not because they manage credit worse.
Can a 25-year-old have a credit score over 750?
Yes, it is possible with a longer-than-typical credit history (for example, becoming an authorized user early), consistently on-time payments, and low utilization, though it is less common than among older borrowers.
Does credit score automatically increase with age?
No, age alone does not raise your score. It is the accumulated history of on-time payments and account age that improves your score over time, and poor habits can keep a score low at any age.
Bottom Line
Older generations average higher credit scores mostly because of length of credit history, not because they manage money better than younger people. If you are early in building credit, focus on payment history and utilization, the two factors that respond fastest, rather than comparing yourself to a generational average.
A quick note: the figures above reflect general 2026 industry averages, not a personal benchmark or advice. Your own score depends on your individual credit history, so checking your actual report is the best way to know where you stand.
