By Lauren Ward

A credit score of 679 is good, according to FICO®, the scoring model used by 90% of lenders in the U.S. Borrowers with this score have room for improvement in order to access the best financing rates and terms, but it’s still a good starting point that should help you qualify for most types of loan and credit opportunities.

What Does a 679 Credit Score Mean?

If you want to know whether 679 is a bad credit score, the answer is no. FICO organizes credit scores into five different categories, and 679 falls into the “good” range.

•   Poor: 300-579

•   Fair: 580-669

•   Good: 670-739

•   Very Good: 740-799

•   Excellent: 800-850

As you can see, a 679 is on the bottom cusp of the good category; however, a 10-point drop would put you into the fair range. So it’s important to manage your credit well in order to maintain and even improve your score. Some effective ways to build your credit score include:

•   Pay your bills on time each month.

•   Keep your credit card balances below 30% of the limit.

•   Limit new credit applications to avoid multiple hard inquiries on your report.

Overall, a 679 is a good score, and with a little bit of time and energy, you could bump it into an even higher category.

Recommended: 10 Strategies for Building Credit Over Time

What Else Can You Get with a 679 Credit Score?

It’s certainly possible to qualify for different types of financing with a 679 credit score. But lenders also look at other eligibility factors, like your debt-to-income ratio, employment history, and in some cases, the size of your down payment.

Another consideration of what you can get with a 679 credit score is how much you’ll pay in interest and fees. Make sure you can handle any new debt payments, otherwise you risk falling behind on payments and damaging your credit score.

Can I Get a Credit Card with a 679 Credit Score?

Wondering if a 679 credit score is good or bad for getting a credit card? Based on this score alone, you would likely qualify for a card. But the best terms and rewards programs are generally reserved for applicants with a 700 or higher. You could still qualify for a competitive card, though you may have to pay a higher interest rate and could receive a lower credit limit.

“Putting down a deposit” means you get a secured credit card. The deposit is usually equal to your credit limit, and it acts as collateral when you make a purchase. The lender can take your deposit if you fail to make your payments on time or if you default on your loan.

Additionally, always look at extra costs that come with a card, such as an annual fee or balance transfer fee, which is often charged when you move an existing credit card balance to a new one. All of these expenses can add up, so be sure to compare the total card costs and not just the interest rate. Look at a credit card’s annual percentage rate (APR) to assess the overall cost of using the card.

You may also see multiple types of APRs, including introductory, purchase, cash advance, and penalty APRs. Think about how you realistically use your cards and which fees are most likely to apply.

Can I Get an Auto Loan with a 679 Credit Score?

Getting a car loan with a 679 credit score loan is possible; in fact, the minimum score typically required by lenders is a 600. The average score for borrowers getting a used car loan is 675, and about 730 for a new car loan.

Your score also has a direct impact on your interest rate. Across all credit scores, a loan for a new car averages 6.84% interest, and a used car loan averages 12.01%. With a 679 credit score, however, you’re likely to pay just a little bit more than average for a new car (6.87%) and quite less for a used car (9.36%).

No matter what your credit score is, you may qualify for a lower rate if you make a larger down payment. Not only could you decrease your total interest, you’ll also keep your monthly payments low. That gives you both short-term and long-term savings to enjoy. And lowering your overall debt load could preserve or even boost your credit score.

Can I Get a Mortgage with a 679 Credit Score?

A 679 credit score should qualify you for multiple mortgage options when buying a house. Here are the most common options that fall within this range:

•   Conventional loan: Usually has a 620 minimum credit score.

•   FHA loan: A 580 score is required with a 3.5% down payment, or a 500 with a 10% down payment.

•   VA loan: There’s no official minimum, but most lenders require a 620 or higher.

•   USDA loans: You typically need a 640 in order to qualify without submitting extra paperwork.

Jumbo loans typically require a 700 credit score, so you may need to improve yours if you want to purchase a home that’s more expensive than the conforming loan limit (which is $806,500 in most areas for 2025).

One thing to remember when applying for a mortgage is that a lender will look at all of your scores from the three major credit bureaus. Instead of using the highest score, they may use the middle of the three. And if you’re applying with a joint borrower, like a spouse or a friend, the lender might use the middle number of the applicant with the lower score.

Can I Get a Personal Loan with a 679 Credit Score?

Personal loans can be an attractive borrowing option because the funds can be used for nearly any purpose. But how difficult is it to qualify for a loan with a credit score of 679?

Lenders vary when it comes to setting a minimum credit score for personal loans, but a 679 should fall within the approval range. Most minimums are set between 580 and 660, so a 679 gives you some buffer room to qualify. Be watchful of interest rates and other repayment terms, which can vary substantially from lender to lender.

If you want to keep your interest rate as low as possible, you may want to consider using collateral on a personal loan. Real estate, bank accounts, and vehicles can be used to secure a loan. While it puts your asset at risk, it could help you qualify for a lower rate and a higher loan amount.

A credit card consolidation loan is another personal loan option that is specifically designed to pay off card balances. Ideally, you’ll save money with a lower, fixed interest rate rather than a variable rate on a revolving credit line. Plus, you may improve your credit score by eliminating that revolving credit in favor of an installment loan.

Recommended: Personal Loan Calculator

The Takeaway

A 679 is a good credit score, especially if you want to apply for any type of financing like a personal loan. But terms can vary from lender to lender, so look at multiple options and use a loan calculator to compare monthly payment amounts and total interest paid.

Also consider ways to improve your credit score in order to qualify for even better terms in the future. Make your payments on time every month, and start paying down high-interest debt to potentially start seeing that 679 rise over time.

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.

By Jackie Lam

A 601 credit score isn’t bad or good — it falls squarely in the “fair” category and below the national average credit score of 715. While there’s a good chance you’ll get approved for a loan or credit card with that score, you might need to look a bit harder to land those coveted low interest rates and flexible terms.

Here, we’ll walk you through what a 601 credit score means, what types of financing you may be able to secure with such a score, and what you can do to boost your credit score.

What Does a 601 Credit Score Mean?

A credit score is a three-digit number that reflects your creditworthiness, or how likely you are to pay back the money you borrowed. Lenders use it along with other information to determine whether to approve you for credit and at what interest rate.

Credit scores typically range from 300 to 850. The higher the number, the better your score. Although you have different credit scores, the one used in most lending decisions is the FICO Score. It’s categorized as follows:

•   Poor: 300-579

•   Fair: 580-669

•   Good: 670-739

•   Very Good: 740-799

•   Excellent (or exceptional):: 800-850

As you can see, a 601 credit score is considered “fair,” which might impact whether you’re approved for credit and the terms you’re offered. If you’re preparing to apply for a loan or credit card, it’s a good idea to check your credit score so you have an idea of where your credit profile stands. Credit scores update every 30 to 45 days.

Recommended: FICO Score vs. Credit Score

What Else Can You Get with a 601 Credit Score?

Having a fair credit score might prevent you from qualifying for some types of loans and credit cards. And the ones you are approved for may come with steeper interest rates and less-flexible terms.

However, there are some financial products you may be able to get with a 601 credit score. Let’s take a closer look.

Can I Get a Credit Card with a 601 Credit Score?

In general, the better your credit score, the better your chances of getting approved for a credit card. With a 601 credit score, your choices may be more limited. What’s more, your APR might be higher, and it’s possible you won’t qualify for cards with rewards or cash-back opportunities.

However, options do exist. Here are two to consider:

Secured cards

If you are working toward building or establishing your score, you might consider a secured card. These are cards backed by a security deposit, which acts as a form of collateral in case you fall behind on your payments. The security deposit amount and line of credit typically match each other. So if your security deposit is $500, so is your line of credit.

On the upside, a secured card usually has lower minimum credit score requirements and less-rigid financial criteria. On the downside, they also typically have higher interest rates, lower credit limits, and fewer perks.

Retail cards

Retail and store cards are cobranded cards with a store or group of retailers. You can usually only use the card at that particular store, and it may come with loyalty discounts and promotions specific to the retailer.

Retail cards tend to have lower minimum score requirements and less-stringent criteria, but they also tend to have higher interest rates. Plus, you can usually only use the card at that retailer.

Can I Get an Auto Loan with a 601 Credit Score?

Yes, it’s possible to get an auto loan with a 601 credit score, though you might end up paying more in borrowing costs. According to 2024 data from Experian, the average interest rate on a new car for a borrower with a 601 credit score is 9.83%. (That rate jumps to 13.92% for used cars.) Compare that to the 5.25% average interest rate offered to borrowers with a credit score of 781 or higher.

Can I Get a Mortgage with a 601 Credit Score?

Securing a credit card or car loan is one matter, but what about getting a mortgage on a house with a 601 credit score? It depends on the type of home loan you’re applying for. For example, borrowers usually need to have a credit score of at least 620 to qualify for a conventional loan or VA loan.

With a 601 credit score, you may want to focus on FHA loans. These loans are backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and have less-stringent eligibility requirements than a conventional loan. Borrowers with a 580 credit score are eligible with a 3.5% down payment. People with a credit score as low as 500 may also qualify; however, they’ll be required to make a 10% down payment.

It’s also worth noting that your credit score is just one factor lenders consider in their decision. They’ll also consider a range of other factors, such as your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, earnings, and job consistency.

Recommended: How to Get a Mortgage

Can I Get a Personal Loan with a 601 Credit Score?

Personal loans can be an attractive form of financing because you can use the funds for nearly any purpose.

With a 601 credit score, your personal loan options may be more limited than they would be if you had a higher score. However, there are lenders who may consider approving you for a loan, though it could come with a higher interest rate and less-flexible terms.

Still, you may come out ahead financially if you use the funds from the personal loan to consolidate high-interest debt, such as credit cards. That’s because personal loans are generally less expensive than credit cards.

As you’re considering your options, it’s important to understand how much you’ll pay for the loan over its lifetime. A personal loan calculator can help you arrive at an estimate based on the rates and terms you’re offered.

The Takeaway

Wondering if a 601 is a bad credit score or a good one? Technically, it falls in the “fair” category, though it’s well below the average American’s credit score of 715.

Whether you’re shopping around for a mortgage, auto loan, credit card, or personal loan, you might want to consider building your credit before pulling the trigger and formally applying.

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.

Best Places to Live in Wisconsin

Everyone can find a little something just for them in Wisconsin. Whether you’re looking for waterside, city, or small-town living, you can find it here. Here are our top picks for the best places in Wisconsin to live when cost is a consideration..

💡 Quick Tip: When house hunting, don’t forget to lock in your home mortgage loan rate so there are no surprises if your offer is accepted.

Best Affordable Places to Live in Wisconsin

Compared to the rest of the nation’s cost of living by state, Wisconsin is an affordable state to live in. Even big cities like Madison and Green Bay are pretty affordable, compared to other U.S. metro areas. However, here are our top three lesser known favorites for the most affordable locations.

1. La Crosse

2. Waukesha

3. Brookfield

Best Places to Live in Wisconsin for Families

Growing your family and looking for somewhere to spread some roots? Check these cities out to get your imagination rolling.

1. Wauwatosa

2. Eau Claire

3. Sun Prairie

💡 Quick Tip: If you refinance your mortgage and shorten your loan term, you could save a substantial amount in interest over the lifetime of the loan.

Best Places to Live in Wisconsin for Young Adults

When you’re just starting your adulting journey, it’s important to be in the right town in order to get a good mix of opportunities and activities. When also considering affordability, we recommend the following three cities for young adults in Wisconsin.

1. Milwaukee

Recommended: Different Types of Mortgage Loans

2. Wausau

3. Kenosha

Recommended: Jumbo Mortgage Loans

Best Places to Live in Wisconsin for Retirees

When you’re ready to retire, you need somewhere that’s both affordable and active. Check out the three towns below for your next phase of life.

1. Merrill

2. Burlington

3. Columbus

Best Places to Live in Wisconsin Near the Lake

From flat, fertile land fed by gentle rivers in the south to dark forest punctuated by wetlands and lakes to the north, Wisconsin is a landscape painter’s dream. Lake Michigan forms the eastern border, and Lake Superior touches the northwest, but there are many inland lakes as well.

1. Ashland

2. Bayfield

3. Port Washington

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The Takeaway

Wisconsin’s a big state with a lot to offer. Whether you’re looking for opportunity or affordability (or both), you can find it here. Take your time exploring, and consider looking at areas that are off the beaten path. It may just be the best decision you ever made.

Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% - 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It's online, with access to one-on-one help.

SoFi Mortgages: simple, smart, and so affordable.

View your rate

Browse Other States

Best Affordable Places to Live in the U.S.

Best Affordable Places to Live in California

Best Affordable Places to Live in New York

FAQ

Where is the best place to live in Wisconsin year round?

It depends on what you’re looking for, but if you’re looking for things to do, take a look at Milwaukee.

Where are the cheapest homes in Wisconsin?

To find the cheapest homes in Wisconsin, you’ll need to be away from both the lakes and the bigger cities, as both home prices and cost of living tend to be higher in these areas. Wausau, which straddles the Wisconsin River, would be a good place to look.

What are the most expensive and cheapest places to live in Wisconsin

Madison, Milwaukee, and Eau Claire are all just slightly higher than the state average for cost of living, but deals can be found with a little looking. Wausau, with a cost of living that is 84.7% of the U.S. average, is one of the cheapest places to live in Wisconsin.

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^‡SoFi On-Time Close Guarantee: If all conditions of the Guarantee are met, and your loan does not close on or before the closing date on your purchase contract accepted by SoFi, and the delay is due to SoFi, SoFi will provide you $2,000.^ Terms and conditions apply. This Guarantee is available only for loan applications submitted after 6/15/22 for the purchase of a primary residence. Please discuss terms of this Guarantee with your loan officer. The property must be owner-occupied, single-family residence (no condos), and the loan amount must meet the Fannie Mae conventional guidelines. No bank-owned or short-sale transactions. To qualify for the Guarantee, you must: (1) Have employment income supported by W-2, (2) Receive written approval by SoFi for the loan and you lock the rate, (3) submit an executed purchase contract on an eligible property at least 30 days prior to the closing date in the purchase contract, (4) provide to SoFi (by upload) all required documentation within 24 hours of SoFi requesting your documentation and upload any follow-up required documents within 36 hours of the request, and (5) pay for and schedule an appraisal within 48 hours of the appraiser first contacting you by phone or email. The Guarantee will be void and not paid if any delays to closing are due to factors outside of SoFi control, including delays scheduling or completing the appraisal appointment, appraised value disputes, completing a property inspection, making repairs to the property by any party, addressing possible title defects, natural disasters, further negotiation of or changes to the purchase contract, changes to the loan terms, or changes in borrower’s eligibility for the loan (e.g., changes in credit profile or employment), or if property purchase does not occur. SoFi may change or terminate this offer at any time without notice to you. ^To redeem the Guarantee if conditions met, see documentation provided by loan officer.

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‡Up to $9,500 cash back: HomeStory Rewards is offered by HomeStory Real Estate Services, a licensed real estate broker. HomeStory Real Estate Services is not affiliated with SoFi Bank, N.A. (SoFi). SoFi is not responsible for the program provided by HomeStory Real Estate Services. Obtaining a mortgage from SoFi is optional and not required to participate in the program offered by HomeStory Real Estate Services. The borrower may arrange for financing with any lender. Rebate amount based on home sale price, see table for details.

Qualifying for the reward requires using a real estate agent that participates in HomeStory’s broker to broker agreement to complete the real estate buy and/or sell transaction. You retain the right to negotiate buyer and or seller representation agreements. Upon successful close of the transaction, the Real Estate Agent pays a fee to HomeStory Real Estate Services. All Agents have been independently vetted by HomeStory to meet performance expectations required to participate in the program. If you are currently working with a REALTOR®, please disregard this notice. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other REALTORS®. A reward is not available where prohibited by state law, including Alaska, Iowa, Louisiana and Missouri. A reduced agent commission may be available for sellers in lieu of the reward in Mississippi, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Oregon and should be discussed with the agent upon enrollment. No reward will be available for buyers in Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Oregon. A commission credit may be available for buyers in lieu of the reward in New Jersey and must be discussed with the agent upon enrollment and included in a Buyer Agency Agreement with Rebate Provision. Rewards in Kansas and Tennessee are required to be delivered by gift card.

HomeStory will issue the reward using the payment option you select and will be sent to the client enrolled in the program within 45 days of HomeStory Real Estate Services receipt of settlement statements and any other documentation reasonably required to calculate the applicable reward amount. Real estate agent fees and commissions still apply. Short sale transactions do not qualify for the reward. Depending on state regulations highlighted above, reward amount is based on sale price of the home purchased and/or sold and cannot exceed $9,500 per buy or sell transaction. Employer-sponsored relocations may preclude participation in the reward program offering. SoFi is not responsible for the reward.

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If your property is currently listed with a REALTOR®, please disregard this notice. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other REALTORS®.

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