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500 Credit Score: What It Means and How to Improve

A 500 credit score puts you in the bottom 16% of Americans. Here's exactly what it means, what it costs you, and how to fix it fast.

What a 500 Credit Score Gets You

A 500 score affects the mortgage rates, auto loans, credit cards, and rental approvals available to you. The guides below break down exactly what you qualify for and how to move up.

Can I Get Approved With a 500 Credit Score?

How to Improve a 500 Score

  • Dispute inaccurate negative items on all three bureaus.
  • Lower credit card utilization below 30%, ideally under 10%.
  • Keep every account current, payment history is 35% of your FICO score.
  • Avoid new hard inquiries while you build.

More Credit Score Guides