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“Good” means different things depending on what you are trying to do with your credit score. A 680 is good enough to get approved for most credit cards but will cost you significantly more on a mortgage than a 760. Here are the specific thresholds that matter for each major financial product in 2026.
Credit Score Thresholds That Actually Matter
Mortgage
Mortgage lenders are the most credit-score-sensitive lenders because the stakes are highest. The rate difference between a 620 and a 760 on a $350,000 mortgage can be $300-$400 per month.
| Score | Mortgage Outcome (2026) |
|---|---|
| 760+ | Best available rates. Maximum pricing advantage. |
| 740-759 | Near-best rates. Minimal premium over top tier. |
| 720-739 | Good rates. Small premium begins. |
| 700-719 | Acceptable rates. Noticeable premium vs 760+. |
| 680-699 | Higher rates. Roughly $100-150/month more than 760 on $350K loan. |
| 620-679 | Marginal conventional approval. FHA loan often better option. |
| 580-619 | FHA loan possible with 3.5% down. Conventional difficult. |
| Below 580 | FHA with 10% down. Very limited options. |
Car Loan
Auto loan rates are tiered by credit score. The difference between excellent and fair credit on a $30,000 car loan can mean paying $5,000-$8,000 more in total interest over a 60-month loan.
| Score Range | Typical New Car APR (2026) |
|---|---|
| 720+ | 5.5% to 7.5% |
| 660-719 | 7.5% to 10% |
| 600-659 | 10% to 14% |
| Below 600 | 14% to 22%+ |
Credit Cards
- Premium rewards cards (Chase Sapphire, Amex Gold, Venture X): Typically require 700+, most approvals at 720+
- Good cashback cards (Citi Double Cash, Wells Fargo Active Cash): Usually require 670+
- Starter and student cards: 580-670, some with no credit history
- Secured cards: Available at any score, requires a deposit
Personal Loans
- Best rates (7-10% APR): 720+
- Good rates (10-16% APR): 680-719
- Fair rates (16-24% APR): 620-679
- Subprime (24-36% APR): 580-619
Apartment Rental
Most landlords require 620-650 minimum. Competitive urban markets often expect 680-700+. Below 620, expect to need a co-signer or pay additional months of deposit upfront.
The Most Important Threshold: 720
If you had to pick one target score that unlocks meaningfully better rates across all major financial products, 720 is the most practical threshold. Above 720, you qualify for competitive rates on mortgages, auto loans, and premium credit cards. The improvement from 720 to 760 is real but smaller in dollar terms than the improvement from 680 to 720.
Second most important threshold: 670. Below 670, you are paying meaningfully higher rates and getting rejected for some products. Above 670, you have access to most mainstream financial products even if not at the best rates.
The Average Credit Score in America
The average FICO score in the United States hit 718 in 2026, according to Experian’s State of Credit report. If your score is above 718, you are above average. If it is below 670, you are in the bottom third of American borrowers by credit score.
How Long It Takes to Reach Each Tier
| Starting Point | Target | Realistic Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| No credit history | 670 | 6-12 months with a secured card and on-time payments |
| 620 (fair) | 720 | 12-24 months with consistent payments and reduced utilization |
| 680 (good) | 760 | 12-18 months of continued positive history |
| After bankruptcy | 670 | 2-4 years of rebuilding |
Sources: Experian State of Credit 2026; FICO mortgage rate tier data; myFICO loan savings calculator. This article is for informational purposes only.
