The Dime Daily

Is a 700 Credit Score Good?

Updated 2026 · FICO Score 8 scale · U.S. average: 714

Yes — 700 is solidly in the 'good' credit score range (670–739).

FICO bucket: Good (670–739)

Skip the fluff — TL;DR

700 is a strong working score: conventional mortgages, competitive auto loans, and most major rewards credit cards are all accessible. You're 14 points above the U.S. average. The next milestone is 740 — 'very good' — where top-tier lender pricing kicks in.
FICO RangeCategoryYour score
800–850Exceptional
740–799Very Good
670–739Good700 ← you
580–669Fair
300–579Poor

What a 700 credit score gets you

🏠 Mortgage

Straightforward conventional mortgage approval. You're in a standard rate tier — better than 670–680 but not yet in the top tier that kicks in around 740–760.

Typical rate: ~6.1–6.7% (30-year fixed)— estimate, varies by lender, LTV, and loan type

🚗 Auto Loan

Prime rates. Most manufacturers' captive finance offers are now accessible.

Typical rate: ~4.5–8% APR

💳 Credit Cards

Nearly all mainstream and premium rewards cards are accessible. Amex Gold, Chase Sapphire Preferred, and most travel cards are firmly within reach. A few ultra-premium cards still prefer 720+.

🏢 Apartment Rental

No issues. 700 clears every standard screening threshold.

How 700 compares to the U.S. average

The U.S. average FICO is 714. At 700, you're 14 points below average — essentially at the median. Half of Americans have a score above 714, half below. You're in the normal-to-good zone.

U.S. average (714)700
300 (min)714 avg850 (max)

How to improve a 700 credit score

  1. 1

    You're 40 points from 'very good' (740). The biggest lever: get all cards below 10% utilization.

  2. 2

    Maintain perfect payment history — every month of clean history helps.

  3. 3

    Avoid new credit applications for 6–12 months if you're planning a mortgage or auto purchase.

  4. 4

    If you have any negative marks (late payments, collections), the impact fades most significantly after 2 and 4 years.

  5. 5

    Consider a credit limit increase on existing cards to improve your utilization ratio without opening new accounts.

💰 Dime's Take

700 feels like good credit because it is — but it's not exceptional. At 700 you're getting near-good rates on everything. The practical jump from 700 to 750 on a $400,000 mortgage is roughly $80–$120 per month in payment, and $30,000–$45,000 in total interest over 30 years. If you're planning a major purchase in the next 1–2 years, it's worth the effort to push past 740 first.

Nearby credit scores

Is 670 a good credit score?Is 680 a good credit score?Is 720 a good credit score?Is 730 a good credit score?Is 740 a good credit score?

Frequently asked questions

Yes — 700 is solidly in the 'good' credit score range (670–739). FICO defines "good" credit as 670–739. Good credit (670–739) falls within or above that range, meaning you have access to most mainstream financial products at competitive rates.

With a 700 credit score: Mortgages — Straightforward conventional mortgage approval. You're in a standard rate tier — better than 670–680 but not yet in the top tier that kicks in around 740–760. Auto loans — Prime rates. Most manufacturers' captive finance offers are now accessible. Credit cards — Nearly all mainstream and premium rewards cards are accessible. Amex Gold, Chase Sapphire Preferred, and most travel cards are firmly within reach. A few ultra-premium cards still prefer 720+. Apartment rentals — No issues. 700 clears every standard screening threshold.

You're 40 points from 'very good' (740). The biggest lever: get all cards below 10% utilization. Maintain perfect payment history — every month of clean history helps. Avoid new credit applications for 6–12 months if you're planning a mortgage or auto purchase. If you have any negative marks (late payments, collections), the impact fades most significantly after 2 and 4 years. Consider a credit limit increase on existing cards to improve your utilization ratio without opening new accounts.

The U.S. average FICO is 714. At 700, you're 14 points below average — essentially at the median. Half of Americans have a score above 714, half below. You're in the normal-to-good zone.

FICO scores range from 300 to 850. The five ranges are: Poor (300–579), Fair (580–669), Good (670–739), Very Good (740–799), and Exceptional (800–850). Most lenders use FICO scores, though some use VantageScore which uses the same 300–850 range with slightly different cutoffs.
Get My Free Guide