580 Credit Score: What It Means & What You Can Get
FHA with 3.5% down; basic unsecured cards; subprime auto.
Tier
Fair
580–619
Percentile
79%
of Americans score higher
Next tier
620+
Fair/Moderate
What you qualify for
What a 580 Credit Score Gets You in 2026
Mortgage
FHA with 3.5% down
Rates: 7.0–8.5%
Conventional options very limited. FHA is the primary path.
Auto Loan
Subprime
Rates: 12–18%
Limited vehicle selection. Down payment usually required.
Credit Cards
Basic unsecured
Low limits ($500–1,500). Possible annual fees.
Personal Loans
Limited online options
Rates: 18–30% APR
OneMain, Upstart possible at small amounts.
Business Funding
MCAs only
Merchant cash advances only — expensive. Build personal credit first.
Apartment Rental
Approval with conditions
May need extra deposit or cosigner depending on landlord.
Truck / Equipment
30–50% down required
Rates: 14–20%
Limited to older equipment. Difficult overall.
Comparison
What Improving to 620 Unlocks
Lifetime mortgage savings
$64,398
Improving from 580 to 620 could save you this much on a $350,000 mortgage over 30 years.
Your roadmap
How to Get from 580 to 620
Estimated timeline: 4–6 months
Dispute inaccurate negatives
1 in 3 reports contain errors. Disputing collections, late payments, and incorrect balances is the fastest lever.
Pay-for-delete on small collections
Negotiate written pay-for-delete agreements on collections under $1,000 before paying.
Become an authorized user
Add yourself to a family member's aged, low-utilization card to inherit positive history.
Open a secured card, keep at <10% util
Build positive payment history. Secured cards graduate to unsecured after 6–12 months.
Pay down revolving below 30% utilization
Utilization is 30% of your FICO score. Even a one-month drop registers immediately.
Average Credit Booster client improves 60–90 points in 4–6 months
Interactive Tool
Score Impact Simulator
Adjust the levers to see how each action affects your projected score.
Projected Score
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About a 580 Credit Score
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