"Good" is context-dependent
There isn't one score that's universally "good" — the answer depends on what you're trying to qualify for. A score that gets you an apartment easily might not get you the best mortgage rate. The same number can mean very different things depending on what's on the other end.
That said, there are useful benchmarks.
The FICO definition of "good"
FICO officially classifies scores into these bands:
- Exceptional: 800–850
- Very Good: 740–799
- Good: 670–739
- Fair: 580–669
- Poor: 300–579
By that framework, 670 is the floor of "good." Most Americans would consider 670–739 a respectable score, and it is — you'll qualify for most credit products.
But the practical definition of "good enough" varies:
Good for a mortgage: 740+
For conventional mortgages, 740 is where the best rates become available. Below 740 and you're still approved, but the rate tiers step up noticeably. FHA loans are accessible from 580 (with 3.5% down), but the mortgage insurance costs make them more expensive.
If your goal is buying a home and getting the lowest possible monthly payment, 740 is the realistic target. At 700, you'll qualify — but you'll pay more.
Good for a car loan: 670+
Prime auto lending rates are generally available to borrowers above 670. At 720+, you access the best tier. Below 670, rates climb steeply, and lease deals from manufacturers become harder to access.
If you're buying a car in the next 12 months, 670 is a meaningful threshold to cross.
Good for an apartment: 620–650+
Most landlords and property managers want at least 620–650. Beyond that specific floor, landlords care as much about your rental history and income as they do about your score. A 680 with no evictions and stable income beats a 740 with an eviction on record.
Good for a credit card: 670+
Unsecured credit cards with solid rewards and no annual fee generally require 670+. Cards with premium perks (travel rewards, high cashback, airport lounges) typically want 720+. Below 670, you're in secured card or credit-builder territory.
Where most Americans actually score
According to FICO data, the average American credit score is approximately 715 — placing most people squarely in the "good" range by FICO's own definition. The distribution isn't uniform though:
- About 23% of Americans score above 800
- About 25% score 740–799
- About 21% score 670–739
- About 17% score 580–669
- About 16% score below 580
If your score is 700, you're near the statistical average — not exceptional, but not struggling. The majority of lending decisions will go in your favor.
The score you actually need vs. the score you want
There's a difference between the minimum score required to qualify and the score where you start getting the best terms. For most lending decisions:
- Minimum to qualify: 580–640 depending on product
- Good rates: 670–700
- Best rates: 740+
- No practical benefit to going higher: 800+
Optimizing from 760 to 820 won't meaningfully change your borrowing costs. Optimizing from 680 to 740 will.
The number that matters most right now
If you don't know your score, that's the first problem. You can't manage what you can't see. Pull your credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com — it's free and doesn't affect your score. Check all three bureaus, because lenders will, and a single error on one bureau can pull you below a key threshold.
Once you know your number, you know the gap. A 40-point improvement from 660 to 700 is a realistic 6–12 month project with the right moves: paying down revolving balances, getting any errors corrected, and not missing any payments.