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.
Table of Contents
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 ageYoung 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
Written by
WealthVieu
WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.
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