Is a 613 Credit Score Good? What You Need to Know

A credit score serves as a numerical representation of an individual’s creditworthiness, providing lenders with an assessment of their financial reliability. This three-digit number influences various aspects of financial life, including the ability to secure loans, obtain credit cards, and even rent housing.

Understanding Credit Score Ranges

Credit scores are calculated by two widely used models: FICO and VantageScore. Both models range from 300 to 850. A higher score indicates lower risk to lenders, making borrowers more attractive for credit opportunities. Conversely, lower scores suggest a greater risk of default.

Scores are categorized to signify different levels of creditworthiness. For FICO scores, “poor” credit falls between 300 and 579, while “fair” credit ranges from 580 to 669. “Good” FICO scores are between 670 and 739, with “very good” and “exceptional” scores above that. VantageScore categorizations are similar, with “fair” scores between 601 and 660, and “good” scores starting at 661.

A credit score of 613 falls within the “fair” credit range for both FICO and VantageScore models. This score is above the “poor” category but below the average U.S. credit score, which was 715 for FICO in April 2025 and 702 for VantageScore in March 2025. Lenders view a 613 score as an indication of higher risk, often classifying individuals in this range as “subprime” borrowers.

Implications of a 613 Credit Score

A 613 credit score presents various practical challenges across different financial areas due to lenders perceiving a higher risk of default. Obtaining loan approvals, such as personal loans, auto loans, or mortgages, can be more difficult. While approval might be possible, it often requires strong additional qualifications like income and employment stability.

When approved for loans with a 613 score, borrowers should anticipate significantly higher interest rates. For instance, auto loan rates for non-prime borrowers (601-660) averaged around 9.83% for new cars and 13.92% for used cars. Similarly, personal loan interest rates may be elevated, potentially matching or exceeding high credit card APRs.

For mortgages, while a 613 score is insufficient for conventional loans requiring a minimum of 620, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans may be accessible for scores as low as 580 with a 3.5% down payment. FHA loans for a 613 score would likely incur higher interest rates, with averages around 7.8% in mid-2024 compared to 6.2% for top-tier applicants, along with increased mortgage insurance premiums.

Access to credit cards is also affected; individuals with a 613 score are less likely to qualify for prime credit cards offering favorable rewards or low annual percentage rates. Instead, options may be limited to secured credit cards, which require an upfront security deposit, or cards with higher annual fees and interest rates, around 20.5% to 16.5%. This contrasts with individuals with excellent credit who might secure rates closer to 13.5%.

Beyond traditional lending, a 613 credit score can influence other aspects of daily life. Landlords often conduct credit checks for rental applications, and a lower score might lead to increased scrutiny or a requirement for a larger security deposit. Some utility providers and cell phone companies may also demand a security deposit to establish service, viewing a lower credit score as an indicator of potential payment issues.

Credit-based insurance scores, which consider elements of your credit report, are used by many insurers to determine premiums for auto and home insurance. A lower credit score can correlate with higher insurance premiums, as insurers statistically link it to a greater likelihood of filing claims.

Strategies for Credit Score Improvement

Improving a 613 credit score involves focusing on the factors that credit scoring models consider. Payment history holds the most weight in credit score calculations, accounting for 35% of a FICO Score. Consistently making all payments on time is the most impactful action to improve a score. Even a single payment that is 30 days or more overdue can significantly harm scores. Setting up automatic payments can help ensure timely remittances.

Another influential factor is credit utilization, which is the amount of revolving credit used compared to the total available credit. This factor accounts for 30% of a FICO Score. Keeping credit utilization low, below 30% of the available credit limit, is recommended. Paying down credit card balances is an effective way to reduce this ratio.

The length of credit history also plays a role, as older accounts demonstrate a longer track record of responsible credit management. It is advisable to keep older accounts open, even if they are not actively used, as closing them can shorten the average age of accounts and potentially increase the credit utilization ratio. While credit mix (having a variety of account types, like installment loans and revolving credit) is considered, it is a smaller factor, 10% of a FICO Score. It is not recommended to open new accounts solely to diversify credit, as new credit applications can result in a temporary dip in score.

Limiting new credit applications is prudent because each application can lead to a hard inquiry on a credit report, which can slightly lower a score. Too many inquiries in a short period can signal higher risk to lenders. Regularly reviewing credit reports from the three major bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) helps identify and dispute any errors or inaccuracies. Incorrect information can negatively impact a score, and disputing it promptly can lead to corrections.