A 600 credit score is below average and will limit your options

A 600 credit score falls into the "poor" or "fair" range depending on which scoring model is used. Most lenders consider scores below 620 risky, which means you will face higher interest rates, larger down payments, or outright rejection when you try to borrow money or rent housing. A 600 score is not a hard barrier — you can still get a mortgage, car loan, or apartment — but the cost and terms will be worse than someone with a score of 700 or higher.

The exact impact depends on what you are trying to do. Mortgage lenders have different rules than credit card companies. Landlords do not all pull credit scores the same way. Knowing where your score sits and what lenders actually see when they look at it matters more than the number itself.

Key Takeaways

  • A 600 credit score typically means lenders will charge you higher interest rates or require a larger down payment, and some will decline your application entirely.
  • Mortgage approval with a 600 score is possible but usually requires a down payment of 10 percent or more and comes with a higher interest rate than borrowers with scores above 680.
  • Renting an apartment with a 600 score is often possible, but landlords may ask for a larger security deposit, proof of income, or a co-signer.
  • Credit card companies and auto lenders are more likely to reject a 600 score outright or offer only subprime products with very high interest rates.
  • The fastest way to improve your score is to pay down existing debt and make all payments on time for the next six months.

How lenders view a 600 credit score

Credit scores range from 300 to 850. A 600 score puts you in the bottom third. Most mainstream lenders — banks, credit unions, mortgage companies — use 620 as a cutoff. Below that, you are in the subprime category, meaning the lender sees you as higher risk and prices the loan accordingly.

What matters is not just your score but also what is on your credit report. A 600 score with one missed payment two years ago looks different to a lender than a 600 score with three recent missed payments. Lenders pull your full report, not just the number. If your score is low because of old debt or a single incident, you have a better chance than if it is low because you are currently behind on payments.

Getting a mortgage with a 600 credit score

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans are the most common path for borrowers with scores around 600. The FHA allows scores as low as 580 with a 10 percent down payment, and some lenders will work with 600 scores and smaller down payments. Conventional loans — the kind backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac — typically require a score of at least 620, though some lenders go lower.

With a 600 score, expect to pay 1 to 3 percentage points more in interest than someone with a 750 score. On a $300,000 mortgage, that difference adds up to tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. You will also face a manual underwriting process, which takes longer — usually four to six weeks instead of two to three.

Down payment requirements are higher. FHA loans at 600 typically require 10 percent down instead of the 3.5 percent available to borrowers with better scores. Some lenders will ask for proof that you have saved money for closing costs and reserves (money in the bank after closing). If you have a co-signer with a better score, some lenders will use that score instead of yours.

Renting an apartment with a 600 credit score

Landlords are not required to use credit scores, and many do not. Some run background checks instead, some ask for references from previous landlords, and some do not check anything at all. When landlords do pull credit, they often use a different scoring model than mortgage lenders, and they weight recent payment history more heavily than an old bankruptcy.

A 600 score will not automatically disqualify you from renting. What matters more is whether you have recent missed payments or evictions on your record. If your score is low because of old collections or a past default that you have since paid, many landlords will overlook it if your income is stable and your recent rent history is clean.

If a landlord does object to your score, you have options. Offering a larger security deposit (sometimes double the usual amount) can offset their concern. Providing proof of income — recent pay stubs, a letter from your employer, or tax returns — shows you can afford the rent. A co-signer or guarantor with better credit can also work. Some landlords will accept a letter explaining what happened and why it will not happen again.

Credit cards and auto loans with a 600 score

Credit card companies are more likely to reject a 600 score outright. If you are approved, the card will have a low credit limit (often $500 or less) and a high interest rate (18 to 25 percent or higher). Secured credit cards — where you put down a cash deposit as collateral — are a more reliable option and can help you build credit over time.

Auto lenders are more flexible than credit card companies but still charge significantly more. A 600 score will may have access to you for a car loan, but the interest rate will be 8 to 15 percent depending on the lender and the age of the vehicle. Buying from a buy-here-pay-here lot (where the dealer finances the car directly) is possible but comes with very high rates and the risk of having the car repossessed if you miss a payment.

What is dragging your score down

A 600 score usually means one or more of these things: missed or late payments in the past two years, high credit card balances relative to your limits, collections accounts, or a recent bankruptcy or foreclosure. The most recent negative items hurt the most. A missed payment from six months ago has more impact than one from three years ago.

The fastest way to improve your score is to bring all accounts current and keep them current. If you have collections accounts, paying them does not erase them from your report, but it stops the damage from getting worse. Paying down credit card balances below 30 percent of your limits helps more than paying off small balances entirely. In six months of on-time payments, you should see a 20 to 50 point increase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a car loan with a 600 credit score?

Yes. Most auto lenders will work with a 600 score, but you will pay 8 to 15 percent interest instead of 4 to 6 percent. Some lenders specialize in subprime auto loans and approve quickly, but read the terms carefully — some include GPS tracking or starter interrupt devices that disable the car if you miss a payment.

Will a 600 score prevent me from renting?

Not usually. Many landlords do not check credit at all, and those who do often care more about recent payment history and income than the score itself. If a landlord objects, offering a larger deposit or a co-signer often resolves it.

How long does it take to improve a 600 credit score?

You should see movement within three to six months of on-time payments and lower credit card balances. Reaching 700 typically takes one to two years of consistent behavior. Older negative items (late payments, collections) stop hurting as much after two years and fall off your report after seven years.

Is a 600 score the same across all lenders?

Your score may vary slightly between lenders because they use different scoring models (FICO, VantageScore, or proprietary models). The difference is usually 10 to 20 points. What matters more is your full credit report — lenders look at payment history, debt levels, and account age, not just the number.

What if I have no credit history instead of a bad score?

No credit history and a 600 score are treated differently. With no history, you can build credit by becoming an authorized user on someone else's account, getting a secured credit card, or taking out a credit-builder loan. These paths are often faster than recovering from a 600 score.