Who Has a 639 Credit Score?

While age isn't a direct factor in credit scoring, there is a clear trend of scores increasing over time as people build their financial history. According to 2023 Experian data, here is the breakdown of average FICO scores by generation:

• 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 639 Credit Score

A credit score of 639 places you in the "fair" credit category, which is a common starting point for many people building their credit history. While this score can open the door to several credit card options, you may find that premium rewards cards with the best perks remain just out of reach for now. Lenders will likely approve you for cards designed for this credit range, but they may come with higher interest rates and lower credit limits than those offered to applicants with stronger scores.

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Kudos offers AI-powered tools like the Explore Tool and Dream Wallet that analyze your preferences and spending habits to match you with the right card from a database of nearly 3,000 options. These tools provide personalized recommendations and insights into how a new card might affect your credit score, helping you find the best fit for your financial situation.

Auto Loans and a 639 Credit Score

A 639 credit score places you in the non-prime category, meaning you can likely still get approved for an auto loan. However, you should expect to face higher interest rates than borrowers with prime or super-prime credit scores.

Based on 2025 market data, here are the average auto loan interest rates for new and used cars across different credit score tiers:

• 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 639 Credit Score

With a 639 credit score, you can qualify for several types of home loans. You generally meet the minimum credit score for conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans. For example, FHA loans permit scores of 580 with a 3.5% down payment, and most VA and conventional lenders look for a score of at least 620.

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However, a 639 score will impact your loan terms. You can expect higher interest rates—borrowers in this range saw average rates around 7.8% compared to 6.2% for top-tier applicants. You may also face stricter underwriting, higher private mortgage insurance (PMI) costs, and have fewer loan products to choose from.

What's in a Credit Score?

Figuring out what goes into your credit score can feel like trying to solve a complex puzzle, but the number is generally derived from a few key factors in your financial history.

• Your payment history is the most significant factor, reflecting whether you pay your bills on time.
• Credit utilization measures how much of your available credit you are currently using.
• The length of your credit history considers the age of your oldest and newest accounts, as well as the average age of all your accounts.
• Your credit mix looks at the different types of credit you have, such as credit cards, mortgages, and installment loans.
• New credit inquiries and recently opened accounts can also temporarily impact your score.

How to Improve Your 639 Credit Score

Your credit score plays a crucial role in your financial life, but it isn't set in stone; there are always proven methods to improve your creditworthiness. Improving your score takes time and consistent effort, but most people see meaningful changes within three to six months.

• Monitor your credit reports. Regularly checking your reports helps you spot and dispute inaccuracies that could be unfairly lowering your 639 score. This also allows you to track your progress and ensure your positive actions are being recorded correctly.
• Establish automatic bill payments. Your payment history is the most significant factor in your score, so automating payments is the best way to ensure you're always on time. This is a critical step for building your score up from the fair range.
• Reduce your credit utilization ratio. This ratio of your used credit to your total available credit is the second most important factor in your score. Keeping your utilization below 30% can provide a significant boost and shows lenders you can manage credit responsibly.
• Become an authorized user. Being added to a trusted person's credit card account can add their positive payment history and low utilization to your credit file. This can be a quick way to add positive data to your report and improve your 639 score.

To help you maximize rewards while you build your credit, the free AI-powered Kudos browser extension can recommend the best card for every purchase.