Quick Answer:
FICO scores range from 300 to 850 and are divided into five tiers: Poor (300–579), Fair (580–669), Good (670–739), Very Good (740–799), and Exceptional (800–850). Your tier directly determines whether lenders approve your applications and what interest rate you pay. The difference between a Poor score and an Exceptional one can cost — or save — more than $150,000 over the life of a single mortgage.
Key Takeaways
- ✦FICO scores range from 300–850 across five official tiers — each tier unlocks different loan products and rates
- ✦A score of 670+ is considered "Good," but 740+ is where the best mortgage and auto loan rates begin
- ✦Moving from Poor to Fair can open doors to secured cards and credit-builder loans within 6–12 months
- ✦The real cost difference between score tiers on a $300k mortgage can exceed $150,000 in total interest
- ✦Inaccurate negative items are one of the most common reasons consumers are stuck in a lower range than they deserve
- ✦Consumers in Bakersfield, Los Angeles, and across Kern County can take action today to move into the next tier
Your FICO score isn't just a number — it's a financial passport. Lenders use it to decide in seconds whether to approve you, and at what price. Understanding exactly where each range falls and what it unlocks is the first step toward strategically improving your position.
The FICO Score Spectrum at a Glance
300–579
POOR
580–669
FAIR
670–739
GOOD
740–799
V. GOOD
800–850
EXCEP.
300580670740800850
The five tiers above are the official FICO score categories used by lenders across the United States. Where you fall on this spectrum shapes virtually every financial decision a lender makes about you — from whether you get approved to what rate you pay to how much credit you receive.
The Five FICO Score Ranges — In Detail
300
–
579
Poor Credit
Scores from 300 to 579
Approval Odds
Very limited. Most mainstream lenders decline.
Typical APR (Personal Loan)
25%–36%+ (subprime)
What You Can Get
Secured credit cards, credit-builder loans, subprime auto (high rate)
Common Causes
Late payments, collections, bankruptcies, high utilization, charge-offs
Priority Action
Bring all accounts current, open a secured card, dispute inaccurate negative items under FCRA §611
580
–
669
Fair Credit
Scores from 580 to 669
Approval Odds
Limited. Approvals come with high rates and low limits.
Typical APR (Personal Loan)
17%–25%
What You Can Get
FHA mortgage (580+), subprime auto, some unsecured cards with fees
Common Causes
High utilization, a few late payments, limited credit history, recent collections
Priority Action
Reduce utilization below 30%, maintain perfect payment history for 12+ months, build thin-file accounts
670
–
739
Good Credit
Scores from 670 to 739
Approval Odds
Good. Most mainstream lenders approve. Rates are competitive but not the best.
Typical APR (Personal Loan)
10%–17%
What You Can Get
Conventional mortgage, standard auto loan, most rewards credit cards
Average US Score
716 — Most Americans fall here
Priority Action
Reduce utilization to under 10% (AZEO method), avoid new inquiries, age your accounts
740
–
799
Very Good Credit
Scores from 740 to 799
Approval Odds
Very strong. Near-automatic approvals. Access to best standard rates.
Typical APR (Personal Loan)
6.5%–10%
What You Can Get
Best mortgage rates, 0% APR auto promotions, premium rewards cards, high limits
Key Benefit
740 is the benchmark most lenders use for their best published mortgage rates
Priority Action
Maintain perfect payment history, keep oldest accounts open, manage mix of credit types
800
–
850
Exceptional Credit
Scores from 800 to 850
Approval Odds
Near-certain approval with best available terms across all lenders
Typical APR (Personal Loan)
5.5%–7%
What You Can Get
Elite travel cards, lowest mortgage rates, best auto financing, highest credit limits
How Rare Is It?
About 21% of US consumers have Exceptional credit
Priority Action
Protect what you've built: zero late payments, keep utilization under 5%, limit hard inquiries
What Your Score Range Actually Costs You
The most powerful way to understand score ranges is to see the real dollar impact. Below is how your FICO score range affects a $300,000 30-year fixed mortgage, based on 2026 market estimates:
| Score Range |
Est. Rate |
Monthly Payment |
30-Yr Total Interest |
vs. Exceptional |
| Exceptional (800–850) |
6.20% |
$1,832 |
$359,520 |
Baseline |
| Very Good (740–799) |
6.50% |
$1,896 |
$382,560 |
+$23,040 |
| Good (670–739) |
6.90% |
$1,981 |
$413,160 |
+$53,640 |
| Fair (580–669) |
8.50% |
$2,307 |
$530,520 |
+$171,000 |
| Poor (300–579) |
May not qualify |
N/A or 10%+ |
$630,000+ |
+$270,000+ |
*Estimates based on 2026 market rate approximations for illustrative purposes. Your actual rate depends on lender, loan type, down payment, and other factors.
What Each Score Range Unlocks
Different lenders and loan products use different score thresholds. Here is a practical reference for the most common credit products:
🏠 Mortgage Loans
- ▸620+ Conventional loan minimum
- ▸580+ FHA loan (3.5% down)
- ▸740+ Best published mortgage rates
- ▸800+ Elite rates + highest leverage
🚗 Auto Loans
- ▸580+ Subprime approval (high rate)
- ▸660+ Near-prime rates
- ▸720+ Best standard auto rates
- ▸740+ 0% APR promotional offers
💳 Credit Cards
- ▸300+ Secured cards (deposit required)
- ▸580+ Some unsecured cards (fees/high APR)
- ▸670+ Standard rewards cards
- ▸740+ Premium travel & cash-back cards
- ▸800+ Elite cards, highest limits
🏦 Personal Loans
- ▸580+ Online lenders (20%–36% APR)
- ▸640+ Bank/credit union approval
- ▸700+ Competitive personal loan rates
- ▸760+ Best personal loan rates available
Not Sure Which Range You're In Right Now?
Our credit professionals in Bakersfield review your full credit file, identify what's holding your score back, and build a personalized plan to move you into the next range — and beyond.
Get Your Free Credit Review
Or call us directly: Client Support: 661-505-8085
How to Move Up to the Next Score Range
Each range transition has its own strategy. Here is the roadmap from where you are to where you want to be:
300–579
Poor
Bring accounts current. Open secured card. Dispute inaccurate negatives. Timeline: 6–12 mo.
→
580–669
Fair
Reduce utilization below 30%. Add credit-builder loan. Perfect payments. Timeline: 12–18 mo.
→
670–739
Good
Apply AZEO method (<10%). Age accounts. Diversify credit mix. Timeline: 12–24 mo.
→
740–799
Very Good
Limit hard inquiries. Keep oldest accounts open. Zero late payments. Long-term aging.
→
800–850
Exceptional
Protect your file. Utilization under 5%. Perfect history. Low inquiry count. Long credit age.
The most important insight from the roadmap above: the lower your current score, the more high-impact steps are available to you. Consumers in the Poor and Fair ranges can often see 50–100+ point improvements by addressing inaccurate items and optimizing utilization alone.
📚 Related Reading on Maximum FICO Score
Frequently Asked Questions About FICO Score Ranges
What is a good FICO score?
A FICO score of 670 or higher is generally considered "Good." Scores of 740 or above are "Very Good," and 800 or above is "Exceptional." Most lenders offer their best rates to borrowers with scores of 740 or higher. If your goal is a mortgage, targeting 740+ will give you access to the best available rates.
What FICO score do I need to buy a house?
Most conventional loans require a minimum FICO score of 620. FHA loans allow scores as low as 580 with a 3.5% down payment. However, to access the best mortgage rates, you generally need a score of 740 or higher. Scores below 620 will significantly limit your mortgage options and may require working to improve your score before applying.
What is the average FICO score in the US?
The average FICO score in the United States is approximately 716, which falls in the "Good" range. However, averages vary significantly by age group, state, and income level. Younger consumers and those with limited credit history often score lower, while consumers over 60 tend to score higher due to longer credit history.
How long does it take to improve a FICO score range?
Moving from Poor to Fair typically takes 6–12 months with consistent on-time payments and reduced utilization. Moving from Fair to Good can take 12–18 months. Each range jump requires sustained positive behavior, and the timeline depends heavily on the specific negative items in your file. Removing inaccurate items through FCRA disputes can accelerate improvement significantly.
Does checking my FICO score hurt my credit?
No. Checking your own credit score is a soft inquiry and does not affect your FICO score in any way. Only hard inquiries — initiated when you apply for new credit with a lender — can temporarily lower your score, typically by 5–10 points. Those hard inquiries stop impacting your score after 12 months and disappear from your report after 2 years.
Can credit repair help me move up a FICO score range?
Yes. Professional credit repair focuses on identifying and disputing inaccurate, unverifiable, or outdated negative items — which are among the most common reasons consumers are stuck in a lower score range than they deserve. Under FCRA §611, bureaus must investigate disputes within 30 days and remove items that cannot be verified. Combined with strategic credit-building guidance, professional repair can accelerate movement into higher ranges significantly.
Ready to Move Into a Higher Score Range?
Whether you're in the Poor range trying to climb to Fair, or in the Good range aiming for Very Good or Exceptional — Maximum FICO Score in Bakersfield has helped thousands of consumers take that next step. Our approach is ethical, transparent, and built on real results.
Serving Bakersfield, Los Angeles, Kern County & clients nationwide since 2016 | Client Support: 661-505-8085
Legal Disclaimer: Maximum FICO Score is a credit education and repair company operating under the Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations. We do not guarantee specific score improvements. Results vary based on individual credit profiles. You have the right to dispute inaccurate information in your credit report directly with the credit bureaus at no charge. The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. FICO® is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation.
