What’s the average credit score in America?
If you’re wondering how your credit score compares to others, it might help to look at the national average. In 2022, the average FICO® score in the U.S. was 714. That’s according to the most recent data from an annual study by Experian®, one of the three major credit bureaus.
The Experian 2022 Consumer Credit Review used nationwide credit scores from FICO, one of the major credit-scoring companies, to determine averages by age, state and more. Learn more about the study’s findings and see what they could mean for you.
Key takeaways
- The average FICO credit score in the U.S. in 2022 was 714, the same as it was in 2021.
- Credit scores among baby boomers, Generation X and millennials increased by one to two points from 2021 to 2022. They stayed the same for Generation Z and the Silent Generation.
- For FICO, good credit scores fall between 670 and 739.
- In 2022, 72% of Americans had a FICO credit score of 670 or higher.
What’s the average credit score by age?
Your age doesn’t directly impact your credit scores. But older generations generally have better credit scores than younger generations do.
According to Experian, Americans who are 77 and older—who belong to what’s sometimes called the Silent Generation—tend to have the highest FICO scores of any generation. One possible reason: Credit scores are partly determined by your credit history. And a longer history of responsible credit use can contribute to a better score.
The average credit score for Generation Z and the Silent Generation stayed the same from 2021 to 2022. On the other hand, the average credit scores increased by one point for millennials and Generation X and by two points for baby boomers.
Take a look at these average FICO scores in 2022 to get a sense of where you stand compared with others your age:
| Age group | Average credit score |
|---|---|
| Generation Z (18-25) | 679 |
| Millennials (26-41) | 687 |
| Generation X (42-57) | 706 |
| Baby boomers (58-76) | 742 |
| Silent Generation (77+) | 760 |
What’s the average credit score by state?
Where you live doesn’t directly impact your credit scores. But you might still be curious about the average credit score in different states.
See how your credit score compares with average FICO scores in your state in 2022:
| State | Average credit score |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 691 |
| Alaska | 723 |
| Arizona | 712 |
| Arkansas | 694 |
| California | 721 |
| Colorado | 730 |
| Connecticut | 725 |
| Delaware | 714 |
| District of Columbia | 716 |
| Florida | 707 |
| Georgia | 694 |
| Hawaii | 732 |
| Idaho | 727 |
| Illinois | 719 |
| Indiana | 712 |
| Iowa | 729 |
| Kansas | 721 |
| Kentucky | 702 |
| Louisiana | 689 |
| Maine | 728 |
| Maryland | 716 |
| Massachusetts | 732 |
| Michigan | 718 |
| Minnesota | 742 |
| Mississippi | 680 |
| Missouri | 712 |
| Montana | 731 |
| Nebraska | 731 |
| Nevada | 702 |
| New Hampshire | 734 |
| New Jersey | 724 |
| New Mexico | 699 |
| New York | 721 |
| North Carolina | 707 |
| North Dakota | 733 |
| Ohio | 715 |
| Oklahoma | 693 |
| Oregon | 732 |
| Pennsylvania | 723 |
| Rhode Island | 723 |
| South Carolina | 696 |
| South Dakota | 734 |
| Tennessee | 702 |
| Texas | 693 |
| Utah | 730 |
| Vermont | 736 |
| Virginia | 721 |
| Washington | 735 |
| West Virginia | 700 |
| Wisconsin | 735 |
| Wyoming | 723 |
How has the average American credit score changed over time?
Experian found that the average FICO credit score in America stayed the same in 2022 compared to 2021. But from 2019 to 2021, the nation’s average credit score jumped 11 points—from 703 to 714.
What’s a good credit score?
FICO’s credit scores range from 300 to 850. And good credit scores fall between 670 and 739 on that scale. In 2022, 72% of Americans had a credit score of 670 or higher.
But it’s important to know that people typically have more than one credit score. That’s because there are different credit scoring companies—like FICO and VantageScore®—and each uses different credit scoring models.
The average American credit score in a nutshell
The average credit score of other Americans might not impact you personally. But knowing where others stand could be informative if you have goals to build or rebuild your credit.
It’s possible to improve your credit if you practice responsible financial behaviors over time, like paying your bills on time and staying well below your credit limits. It’s also important to regularly monitor your credit. With CreditWise from Capital One, you can access your VantageScore 3.0 credit score and your TransUnion® credit report. Using CreditWise won’t hurt your credit scores. And it’s free for everyone, not just Capital One cardholders.
