Is 609 a Good Credit Score?

By Rebecca Lake

A credit score of 609 is not considered good. It falls into the fair category, which is below the good tier, but above the poor one, according to the FICO® credit scoring model.

With a 609 credit score, you may be able to access forms of credit, but you will likely pay higher interest rates and enjoy less favorable terms than those with a higher score. Here’s how this score can affect your ability to borrow.

What Does a 609 Credit Score Mean?

FICO credit scores, which are used by 90% of top lenders to qualify borrowers, range from 300 to 850, with 850 being the highest score you can attain.

Here are the ranges:

•   Exceptional (or excellent) credit: 800-850

•   Very good credit: 740-799

•   Good credit: 670-739

•   Fair credit: 580-669

•   Poor credit: 300-579

These scores are composed of five factors:

•   Payment history: 35%

•   Credit utilization: 30%

•   Credit history: 15%

•   Credit inquiries: 10%

•   Credit mix: 10%

According to FICO, a 609 credit score translates to a fair credit rating, as noted above. Fair credit means your score is lower than the average American’s, but some lenders will still extend credit to you. For perspective, the average FICO score was 715 in 2024, according to Experian.

Fair credit won’t make borrowing impossible, but it can make it more expensive. A 609 credit score typically means you won’t qualify for the lowest interest rates. Those are usually reserved for people with very good or exceptional credit, which means a FICO score of 740 or higher.

What Else Can You Get With a 609 Credit Score?

Is 609 a bad credit score? Technically, no; FICO rates a score below 580 as poor credit. With a score in that range, you might find it difficult to get approved for loans or credit cards, and if you do, you may face significantly higher interest rates.

So, what can a 609 credit score get you? You can likely qualify for a credit card, a car loan, and some mortgages and personal loans, though they may be expensive. Here’s a closer look.

Can I Get a Credit Card With a 609 Credit Score?

Credit cards are convenient when you need to pay for things on the go, and it’s possible to get a credit card with a 609 credit score. For an unsecured card, you may be able to obtain a card, but it will likely involve a higher interest rate than those with good or better credit, and it will probably lack any kind of credit card rewards. (You will probably have to pay an annual fee, too.)

Another option: You might apply for a secured credit card, which can help build credit. Here’s the difference:

•   Secured credit cards usually require a cash deposit to open, which doubles as your credit limit.

•   Unsecured credit cards don’t require a deposit.

Either type of card could help you build good credit if you practice good habits. That includes paying your bill on time each month and keeping the balance low relative to your credit limit (this is known as your credit utilization ratio). Payment history and credit utilization carry the most weight in FICO credit scoring.

It can be difficult to know which credit cards you can get with a 609 credit score, since credit card companies usually don’t publish minimum credit score requirements online. They may, however, market certain cards as being designed for people with fair credit, which can help you decide which ones to apply for.

Worth noting: Hard inquiries (meaning applications for new credit) can temporarily lower your credit score by several points, so it’s better to just pick one credit card to apply for at a time.

Can I Get an Auto Loan With a 609 Credit Score?

A 609 credit score car loan approval isn’t unheard of. You’ll need to find a lender willing to offer you financing. Some lenders specifically target borrowers with lower credit who may not be able to get approved for a car loan through a bank or online lender.

The downside of getting a car loan with a 609 credit score is that you’ll most likely pay more interest. Again, that’s because lenders reserve the lowest rates for borrowers with the highest credit scores.

So how much could you pay? Here’s what borrowers in the fair credit score range paid on average for car loans in the third quarter of 2024:

•   New car buyers paid 9.73%

•   Used car buyers paid 14.07%

By comparison, buyers with excellent credit paid 5.08% for new car loans and 7.41% for used car financing on average.

Here’s an example to review:

•   If you got a $20,000 used car loan with a 48-month repayment term at a 14.07% APR, your monthly payments would be $547, and you’d pay $6,267 in interest over the life of the loan.

•   Now, if you built your credit and qualified for a 7.41% APR instead, your monthly payment would drop to $483, and you would pay just $3,171 in total interest.

Those numbers could be a great incentive to work on building your score before applying for a car loan.

Can I Get a Mortgage With a 609 Credit Score?

A 609 credit score isn’t a barrier to getting a mortgage, but it may limit your loan options. For example, most lenders require a minimum credit score of 620 to qualify for conventional mortgages, as well as VA and USDA loans.

That said, some VA and USDA lenders will review your application and may fund your loan, even if your credit score is below 620.

You could also qualify for an FHA loan with a FICO score as low as 500. FHA loans are federally insured loans that are designed to help people buy homes, even when their credit isn’t perfect. If you’re in the 609 credit score range, you could buy a home with as little as 3.5% down (or 10% if your score ranges from 500 to 579) and access a favorable interest rate.

The best way to find a good FHA loan rate for fair credit is to shop around and compare rates from multiple lenders. Look for lenders that offer free rate quotes without affecting your credit scores.

Recommended: How Many Personal Loans Can You Have at Once?

Can I Get a Personal Loan With a 609 Credit Score?

Personal loans can put cash in your hands when you need it, whether for a big dental bill or the cost of a vacation. It’s possible to qualify for one with a 609 credit score, albeit probably at a higher interest rate than you’d be offered if your score was higher.

As with mortgages or car loans, it’s important to shop around. Compare personal loan rates, terms, and fees. If you’re getting a credit card consolidation loan to streamline your debts, it’s important to make sure the loan rate you qualify for is less than what you’re paying to your cards. Otherwise, consolidating might not save any money.

To really dig into the numbers, use a personal loan calculator to estimate what you might pay, based on different loan rates and terms.

The Takeaway

A 609 credit score isn’t considered good. Rather, it falls into the tier below that, which is fair. While you can qualify for some forms of credit, it will likely be at higher interest rates and with less favorable terms than if your score was higher. Carefully review options, whether for a credit card or personal loan, to make sure you understand the fine print.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.

SoFi’s Personal Loan was named NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Personal Loan overall.

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