Who Has a 604 Credit Score?

While age is not a direct factor in credit score calculations, there is a clear correlation between age and average credit scores. According to 2023 data from Experian, scores tend to increase with each successive generation. Here is the average FICO score breakdown by age group:

• Generation Z (ages 18-26): 680
• Millennials (ages 27-42): 690
• Generation X (ages 43-58): 709
• Baby Boomers (ages 59-77): 745
• Silent Generation (ages 78+): 760

Credit Cards With a 604 Credit Score

A credit score of 604 places you in the 'fair' credit range, which can be a mixed bag when applying for new credit cards. Lenders may view this score as an indicator of higher risk, potentially leading to rejections for top-tier rewards cards or approvals with less-than-ideal terms like high interest rates and low credit limits. While securing a new card isn't out of the question, your options will likely be geared more towards products designed for building credit rather than premium travel or cashback cards.

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Kudos can help you find the right card for your financial situation with its AI-powered tools that deliver personalized recommendations. Whether through its Explore Tool, which matches you based on preferences, or its Dream Wallet, which analyzes your spending, the platform helps you find cards that maximize rewards and build credit.

Auto Loans and a 604 Credit Score

A 604 credit score places you in the non-prime lending category, which can make securing an auto loan more expensive. While you can still get approved, lenders will likely offer you higher interest rates than borrowers with stronger credit profiles.

To see how your score compares, here are the average auto loan rates by credit score bracket for 2025:

• Super-prime (781-850): 5.25% for new cars and 7.13% for used cars
• Prime (661-780): 6.87% for new cars and 9.36% for used cars
• Non-prime (601-660): 9.83% for new cars and 13.92% for used cars
• Subprime (501-600): 13.18% for new cars and 18.86% for used cars
• Deep subprime (300-500): 15.77% for new cars and 21.55% for used cars

Mortgages at a 604 Credit Score

While a 604 credit score falls below the typical 620 minimum for a conventional loan, it doesn't shut the door on homeownership. You will likely qualify for an FHA loan, which is designed for buyers with fair credit. FHA guidelines permit scores as low as 580 with a 3.5% down payment, placing your 604 score within the qualifying range, assuming other financial criteria are met.

However, your score will impact your loan terms. Lenders view a sub-620 score as higher risk, meaning you'll face higher interest rates and mortgage insurance premiums. Borrowers with scores in the low 600s often see rates significantly higher than those with excellent credit, potentially costing thousands more over the loan's life. Your application will also likely undergo stricter scrutiny and manual underwriting.

What's in a Credit Score?

Understanding your credit score can feel like trying to solve a complex puzzle, as it's a blend of several key financial habits. The most common factors that determine your score include:

• Your payment history tracks whether you have paid past credit accounts on time.
• Credit utilization is the percentage of your available credit that you are currently using.
• The length of your credit history considers the age of your oldest account and the average age of all your accounts.
• Credit mix refers to the variety of credit products you have, such as credit cards, retail accounts, and loans.
• New credit inquiries and recently opened accounts can also temporarily impact your score.

How to Improve Your 604 Credit Score

No matter your current credit score, improving it is always possible and can have a major impact on your financial life. With consistent, positive habits, you can see meaningful changes and build a healthier credit profile.

• Reduce your credit utilization ratio. Lenders see high balances as a risk, so keeping your utilization below 30% shows you can manage credit responsibly. For a 604 score, lowering this ratio can be one of the fastest ways to see a positive change.
• Become an authorized user. By being added to the account of someone with a strong credit history, their positive payment history and low utilization can be added to your report. This can give your 604 score a significant boost, provided the primary account holder maintains good habits.
• Apply for a secured credit card. These cards require a cash deposit as collateral, making them easier to obtain for those with fair or damaged credit. Making timely payments on a secured card helps build a positive payment history, as activity is reported to the major credit bureaus.
• Consider a credit-builder loan. Designed specifically to help establish credit, these loans build a positive payment history as you make regular payments. This also helps diversify your credit mix, another factor that can strengthen a 604 score over time.

While working on these steps, you can use tools like Kudos to help maximize your credit card rewards and make your credit work for you.