Is 880 a good credit score in Canada?
In Canada, according to Equifax, a good credit score is usually between 660 to 724. If your credit score is between 725 to 759 it's likely to be considered very good. A credit score of 760 and above is generally considered to be an excellent credit score. The credit score range is anywhere between 300 to 900.
In fact, any score above 740 is considered excellent, so don't feel defeated if you don't quite hit 900. To give you an idea of how hard it is to get such a stellar credit score, some experts estimate that only between 1% to 6% of people have credit scores at or above 850.
In fact, membership to the 800 Credit Score Club is so exclusive that roughly less than 1 in 6 people have scores high enough to qualify. At the time of writing, that means 5.268 million Canadians over age 18 might qualify.
While older models of credit scores used to go as high as 900, you can no longer achieve a 900 credit score. The highest score you can receive today is 850. Anything above 800 is considered an excellent credit score.
An excellent credit score is good enough
A score of 720 or higher is generally considered excellent. And scoring 800 or above qualifies you for the best terms offered.
In Canada, according to Equifax, a good credit score is usually between 660 to 724. If your credit score is between 725 to 759 it's likely to be considered very good. A credit score of 760 and above is generally considered to be an excellent credit score. The credit score range is anywhere between 300 to 900.
In Canada, your credit score ranges from 300 to 900, 900 being a perfect score. If you have a score between 780 and 900, that's excellent. If your score is between 700 and 780, that's considered a strong score and you shouldn't have too much trouble getting approved with a great rate.
While credit scores in Canada range from 300 - 900, the average is around 650, according to TransUnion, though it varies from province to province. Once you've reached a credit score of 650 or higher, you'll be able to qualify for more financial products.
How rare is an 800 credit score? An 800 credit score is not as rare as most people think, considering that roughly 23% of adults have a credit score in the 800-850 range, according to data from FICO. A score in this range allows consumers to access the best credit card offers and loans with the most favorable terms.
Striving for an 800 Credit Score
In Canada, the average credit score actually sits between 650 to 725. From here, 800 it's actually that far away. However, it may take some work to get there, it is very possible.
What is the average credit score in Canada by age?
Age Range | Average Credit Score | Credit Range |
---|---|---|
18-25 | 692 | Fair |
26-35 | 697 | Fair |
36-45 | 710 | Fair |
46-55 | 718 | Fair |
A 620 credit score is typically what you'll need to get a mortgage for a home purchase. Although you can buy a house with a credit score as low as 500, you'll pay a higher rate and make a larger down payment.
Generation | Average credit score (FICO) in 2023 |
---|---|
Generation Z (18-25) | 680 |
Millennials (26-41) | 690 |
Generation X (42-57) | 709 |
Baby boomers (58-76) | 745 |
Only 1.31% of Americans with a FICO® Score have a perfect 850 credit score. While a score this high is rare among any demographic, older generations are more likely to have perfect credit. Baby boomers make up a whopping 59.4% of the people with an 850 credit score.
Membership in the 800+ credit score club is quite exclusive, with fewer than 1 in 6 people boasting a score that high, according to WalletHub data.
Just getting your credit score over 800, officially an excellent credit score, gives you the same advantages and benefits that come with a perfect credit score. Experian reports that 21 percent of all consumers have achieved excellent credit, compared to just 1.6 percent with a perfect 850 credit score.
Only 1.31% of the population can achieve a credit score of 850, so there's a certain point where trying to get the highest possible credit score isn't realistic at all. Having good credit can start at around 700. In fact, only a few credit score models have a credit score limit of 900.
Your credit score is a major factor in whether you'll be approved for a car loan. Some lenders use specialized credit scores, such as a FICO Auto Score. In general, you'll need at least prime credit, meaning a credit score of 661 or up, to get a loan at a good interest rate.
A score below 560 is generally considered to be a bad credit score in Canada, according to credit bureau Equifax. A score between 560 and 659 is often considered fair, while scores between 660 and 724 are considered to be an acceptable or good credit score.
- always make your payments on time.
- make at least the minimum payment if you can't pay the full amount that you owe.
- contact your lender right away if you think you'll have trouble paying a bill.
- don't skip a payment even if a bill is in dispute.
Does credit score matter in Canada?
Canada operates with a credit score range between 300 and 900. The lower your score, the less likely you are to be approved for a credit card or loan. If you do manage to qualify for a credit card or loan despite a low score, the interest rate you receive will likely be high.
Read on to learn more. Generally speaking, the highest credit score possible is 850, according to the most common FICO and VantageScore credit models. There are several factors that go into determining a credit score, such as payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, credit inquiries and credit mix.
While it will vary by lender and type of mortgage, in general, the minimum credit score to be approved for a traditional mortgage is around 680. Some lenders may go a little lower, but again, higher is better. A credit score above 700 is considered optimal when applying for a mortgage.
Your mobile phone and internet provider may report your accounts to your credit bureau. They can appear in your credit report, even though they aren't credit accounts. A home equity line of credit ( HELOC ) that is added to your mortgage may be treated as part of your mortgage in your credit report.
According to Equifax, at the end of 2020 the average Canadian owed $72,950 in debt, excluding mortgages.
References
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