Credit scores tend to increase with age due to longer credit history and more financial experience. Here’s how your score compares to others your age.
Quick answer: Average credit score by age: Gen Z: 680, Millennials: 690, Gen X: 709, Baby Boomers: 745, Silent Generation: 760. Scores typically increase 50-80 points from 20s to 60s.
Average Credit Score by Age (2026)
| Age Group | Generation | Average FICO Score | Average VantageScore |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-25 | Gen Z | 680 | 664 |
| 26-41 | Millennials | 690 | 679 |
| 42-57 | Gen X | 709 | 699 |
| 58-76 | Baby Boomers | 745 | 736 |
| 77+ | Silent Generation | 760 | 758 |
Detailed Breakdown by Age
Ages 18-20
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average FICO | 660 |
| With positive history | 680-700 |
| No credit history | N/A (no score) |
| With student card only | 650-680 |
Ages 21-25
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average FICO | 673 |
| Average VantageScore | 660 |
| 25th percentile | 620 |
| 75th percentile | 720 |
Ages 26-30
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average FICO | 682 |
| Average VantageScore | 673 |
| 25th percentile | 640 |
| 75th percentile | 740 |
Ages 31-35
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average FICO | 693 |
| Average VantageScore | 683 |
| 25th percentile | 660 |
| 75th percentile | 750 |
Ages 36-40
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average FICO | 700 |
| Average VantageScore | 690 |
| 25th percentile | 665 |
| 75th percentile | 760 |
Ages 41-50
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average FICO | 709 |
| Average VantageScore | 699 |
| 25th percentile | 670 |
| 75th percentile | 770 |
Ages 51-60
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average FICO | 730 |
| Average VantageScore | 718 |
| 25th percentile | 680 |
| 75th percentile | 790 |
Ages 61-70
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average FICO | 750 |
| Average VantageScore | 741 |
| 25th percentile | 700 |
| 75th percentile | 800 |
Ages 71+
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average FICO | 760 |
| Average VantageScore | 758 |
| 25th percentile | 720 |
| 75th percentile | 810 |
Score benchmarks by age are part of the credit score hub. See what score you need for the best rates in credit score needed for best rates, and understand how your report drives your score at the credit report hub.
Credit Score Percentiles by Age
Age 25
| Percentile | Score |
|---|---|
| 10th | 570 |
| 25th | 620 |
| 50th (median) | 670 |
| 75th | 720 |
| 90th | 760 |
Age 35
| Percentile | Score |
|---|---|
| 10th | 590 |
| 25th | 650 |
| 50th (median) | 695 |
| 75th | 750 |
| 90th | 790 |
Age 45
| Percentile | Score |
|---|---|
| 10th | 600 |
| 25th | 665 |
| 50th (median) | 710 |
| 75th | 765 |
| 90th | 800 |
Age 55
| Percentile | Score |
|---|---|
| 10th | 620 |
| 25th | 680 |
| 50th (median) | 730 |
| 75th | 785 |
| 90th | 815 |
Age 65+
| Percentile | Score |
|---|---|
| 10th | 640 |
| 25th | 700 |
| 50th (median) | 755 |
| 75th | 800 |
| 90th | 825 |
Why Credit Scores Increase With Age
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Length of credit history | 15% of score — older = longer history |
| Payment history | More years of on-time payments |
| Lower utilization | Higher limits, more stable spending |
| Fewer new accounts | Less new credit activity |
| Financial stability | Higher income, more assets |
| Mortgage history | Long-term positive payment history |
Credit History Length Impact
| Years of History | Score Impact |
|---|---|
| < 1 year | Limited/thin file |
| 1-3 years | Moderate history |
| 3-7 years | Solid history |
| 7-10 years | Good history |
| 10+ years | Excellent history |
Good vs. Average vs. Below Average by Age
What’s “Good” at Each Age
| Age | Below Average | Average | Good | Excellent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20-25 | < 620 | 660-680 | 700-740 | 740+ |
| 26-35 | < 640 | 680-700 | 720-760 | 760+ |
| 36-45 | < 660 | 700-720 | 740-780 | 780+ |
| 46-55 | < 680 | 720-740 | 760-800 | 800+ |
| 56+ | < 700 | 740-760 | 780-810 | 810+ |
Building Credit at Every Age
Ages 18-25: Build the Foundation
| Action | Impact |
|---|---|
| Get a student/secured card | Start credit history |
| Become authorized user | Inherit good history |
| Keep utilization < 30% | Good habits early |
| Never miss a payment | Most important factor |
| Don’t close old accounts | History length matters later |
Ages 26-35: Grow Strategically
| Action | Impact |
|---|---|
| Diversify credit types | Mortgage, auto, credit cards |
| Request credit limit increases | Lower utilization |
| Keep old accounts open | Longer average history |
| Minimize hard inquiries | Apply strategically |
Ages 36-50: Maintain and Optimize
| Action | Impact |
|---|---|
| Keep utilization very low | Under 10% ideal |
| Maintain diverse account mix | Shows experience |
| Avoid unnecessary new credit | Protect history length |
| Monitor for errors | Dispute inaccuracies |
Ages 50+: Preserve Your Score
| Action | Impact |
|---|---|
| Keep old accounts active | Don’t close long-standing cards |
| Low utilization | Key to maintaining high score |
| Avoid co-signing | Protect your score |
| Monitor regularly | Fraud protection |
Credit Score by Age and Income
Higher income tends to correlate with higher scores:
| Age 35 | Income < $50k | Income $50-100k | Income > $100k |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average score | 660 | 695 | 730 |
| % > 700 | 35% | 50% | 70% |
| Age 55 | Income < $50k | Income $50-100k | Income > $100k |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average score | 695 | 735 | 770 |
| % > 700 | 50% | 70% | 85% |
Credit Score by Age and Education
| Education Level | Average Score (All Ages) |
|---|---|
| No high school diploma | 658 |
| High school diploma | 678 |
| Some college | 695 |
| Bachelor’s degree | 725 |
| Graduate degree | 750 |
Score Recovery Time by Age
How long to rebuild after credit damage:
| Starting Point | Age 25 | Age 40 | Age 55 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 550 → 700 | 2-3 years | 1.5-2.5 years | 1.5-2 years |
| 620 → 700 | 1-2 years | 1-1.5 years | 1-1.5 years |
| 650 → 750 | 2-3 years | 1.5-2 years | 1-2 years |
Older borrowers often recover faster due to longer positive history base.
Age vs. Credit Score Myths
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| “Young people can’t have good credit” | 18-year-olds can have 750+ with authorized user status |
| “Old people always have good credit” | Many seniors have poor credit from mistakes or fraud |
| “You need to be 21 to build credit” | 18+ can get credit; authorized user at any age |
| “Credit scores level off after 50” | Scores can continue improving into 70s+ |
Bottom Line
- Average scores increase with age: 680s (young adults) to 760 (seniors)
- A 700 score at age 25 puts you ahead of most peers
- Length of credit history (15% of score) naturally improves with age
- Young adults can achieve 750+ scores within a few years of starting
- Focus on payment history and utilization — these matter more than age
- If you’re above average for your age, you’re on the right track
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