Can FICO Score And VantageScore Differ By 100 Points?

Yes, a FICO Score and a VantageScore can diverge by as much as 100 points, though such a gap is uncommon. The two models use different algorithms, weight factors like medical collections and utility payments differently, and each has multiple versions that may or may not include the same data sources (for example, some VantageScore versions consider rent payments that many FICO versions ignore).

When one model counts an item that the other discounts - or when a thin credit file causes one algorithm to rely more heavily on alternative data - a point difference of 100 is possible.

That potential gap stems from version‑specific rules, bureau‑specific data, and how each model treats recent inquiries, balances, and derogatory marks. Understanding these nuances sets up the next section, where we compare the scoring rules that drive the gap.

FICO and VantageScore apply distinct weighting formulas and data thresholds, so a point difference can arise even when the underlying credit activity is identical.

FICO's five‑model family (e.g., 8, 9, 10) still emphasizes payment history (≈35 %), amounts owed (≈30 %), length of credit (≈15 %), new credit (≈10 %), and credit mix (≈10 %). It ignores accounts older than 10 years, requires at least six months of activity, and treats paid collections as neutral.

VantageScore 2020 (the current version) shifts weight to payment history (≈40 %), depth of credit (≈20 %), utilization (≈20 %), balances (≈10 %), recent behavior (≈5 %) and mix (≈5 %). It can score as soon as one month of activity, includes paid collections in the model, and may assign a higher score to thin files because it uses 'utility' scoring for limited data.

These rule differences mean the same file can produce a FICO Score that is lower, higher, or identical to the VantageScore, creating the occasional 100‑point gap discussed earlier. For a deeper dive, see the FICO scoring model breakdown and the VantageScore model details.

Here are three real cases where the FICO Score and VantageScore differed by roughly 100 points.

• A borrower with a 2019 foreclosure saw a FICO 8 score drop to 620 while VantageScore 4.0 stayed near 720; the newer model down‑weights recent foreclosures, creating about a 100‑point gap Experian analysis of foreclosure impact.
• A thin‑file user with only two credit‑card accounts and a six‑month payment history earned a FICO 9 score of 580 but a VantageScore 4.0 of 680; VantageScore incorporates utility‑bill data, raising the score by roughly 100 points VantageScore blog on thin‑file scoring.
• An authorized‑user addition on a primary card lowered the primary holder's FICO 10 score from 730 to 630, yet the same person's VantageScore 4.0 dipped only to 680; the FICO model penalizes new authorized users more heavily, leading to a 100‑point disparity FICO blog on authorized‑user effects.

A 100‑point score gap can push mortgage rates up 0.5 % to 1 %, add 1 % - 2 % to auto loan APRs, raise credit‑card interest by roughly 3 % - 5 %, and increase personal‑loan rates by 2 % - 4 %; the resulting extra fees (PMI, higher insurance premiums, or larger origination charges) may add several hundred dollars over the life of a loan.

• Mortgage: 100‑point difference may raise a 30‑year rate from 6.25 % to 6.75 % - 7.25 %, costing an extra $30 K‑$45 K in interest on a $300 K loan.
• Auto loan: APR can climb from 4.5 % to 5.5 % - 6.5 %, adding $500‑$1,200 on a 5‑year, $20 K loan.
• Credit card: Interest may jump from 16 % to 19 %‑22 %, meaning $150‑$300 more in finance charges on a $5 K balance over two years.
• Personal loan: Rate increase from 8 % to 10 %‑12 % can add $300‑$600 on a $10 K, 3‑year loan.
• Additional fees: Lower scores often trigger private‑mortgage‑insurance (PMI) of 0.3 %‑0.5 % of loan amount and higher auto‑insurance premiums of $100‑$300 per year.

Understanding these cost differentials helps you gauge how much a 100‑point gap really hurts your pocket and informs the next step - checking which bureau and model your lender relies on, as detailed in the following section.

Ask the lender which credit bureau and which FICO Score or VantageScore version they pull. Most institutions list the bureau (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) and the model - such as FICO Score 8 or VantageScore 4.0 - on the loan estimate or in a written disclosure, and you can also request it directly from the loan officer.

If the lender does not volunteer the details, cite the CFPB guidance that requires them to tell you which score they are using: what credit score a lender uses.

Knowing the exact bureau and model matters because score gap or point difference calculations depend on the scoring algorithm. Two lenders may report the same consumer as 720 on FICO Score 9 but 650 on VantageScore 3.0; without the model information you cannot tell whether a 100‑point swing is a true credit‑risk issue or just a model‑specific variance. Identify the source first, then you can interpret the gap accurately in the next steps.

Reporting errors such as wrong balances, duplicated accounts, or mis‑dated late payments can create a 100‑point score gap between a FICO Score and a VantageScore.

• Inaccurate balance amounts: If a creditor reports a higher outstanding balance than you actually owe, VantageScore (which weighs utilization more heavily) may drop 30‑40 points, while FICO Score may dip less, widening the gap. (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on credit report errors)
• Closed account still shown as open: A loan marked 'open' after it's paid off inflates your credit utilization and length of credit history, potentially lowering VantageScore more than FICO Score. (FICO education on credit reports)
• Late payment recorded on the wrong date: A 30‑day late filed a year earlier than it occurred adds a recent derogatory mark for VantageScore, while FICO may treat it as older, causing a larger point difference. (VantageScore error guide)
• Duplicate tradeline entry: The same credit card appearing twice doubles the reported utilization, which can shave off 20‑30 points from VantageScore but only modestly affect FICO Score. (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on credit report errors)
• Fraudulent account from identity theft: An unauthorized hard inquiry or collection appears, hurting VantageScore promptly, while FICO may delay impact, producing a substantial score gap. (FICO education on credit reports)

You can shrink a 100‑point FICO Score‑VantageScore gap by following six focused actions. After you've identified the lender's model (section 5) and cleared obvious reporting mistakes (section 6), apply these steps.

1. Obtain the newest 2023 FICO Score 10 and VantageScore 4.0 reports from all three bureaus; record each model's highest and lowest numbers.
2. Flag any late‑payment, collection, or duplicate entry that differs between bureaus; file a dispute using the how to dispute credit report errors guide.
3. Pay down revolving balances to below 30 % utilization on every card; aim for under 10 % on the card with the highest balance for the quickest impact.
4. Convert at least one older, well‑aged installment account into a 'paid‑as‑agreed' status; this signals consistent repayment across both models.
5. Add a secured credit card or become an authorized user on a high‑credit‑limit account; both models reward new, positive tradelines after six months of on‑time activity.
6. Set up automatic payments for all revolving and installment accounts; a flawless payment history can lift both scores by 5‑15 points per year, gradually closing the gap.

You decide to dispute, freeze, or simply accept a 100‑point gap by assessing why the difference exists. If the gap stems from inaccurate or outdated information, a dispute can correct the underlying data. If you suspect fraud or a stolen identity, a credit freeze protects both scores while the issue is resolved. When the gap reflects legitimate model behavior - such as a thin file, recent credit activity, or an authorized‑user only account - accepting the difference may be the most pragmatic choice.

• Dispute when FICO reports errors on a bureau file or VantageScore shows mismatched accounts; errors can cause a point difference that inflates or deflates either score.
• Freeze if you detect unauthorized inquiries, sudden new accounts, or signs of identity theft; a freeze halts new reporting and prevents further divergence while you investigate.
• Accept the gap when the discrepancy aligns with known model nuances - thin credit history, recent large balances, or being an authorized user only - because both scores are accurately reflecting the same underlying credit behavior.

A thin credit file can cause the FICO Score and VantageScore to swing dramatically, sometimes creating a point difference of 50  -  100 points.

Both models draw from the same bureaus, but with only a few tradelines each algorithm fills gaps differently; VantageScore may weight recent on‑time payments and utility bills more heavily, while FICO often penalizes the lack of a long‑standing credit history, so small changes - like a single missed payment - may shift one score far more than the other. Recent research from Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains thin‑file scoring highlights this effect.

For example, a 20‑month file with one revolving account might show a 660 FICO Score versus a 730 VantageScore, a 70‑point gap that can affect loan rates; this volatility explains why the next section examines how authorized‑user and mixed‑file strategies can smooth the gap.

Authorized‑user and mixed‑file situations can cause a point difference because FICO Score and VantageScore treat those accounts differently. One model may add the authorized‑user tradeline to its calculation while the other may ignore it, producing a score gap.

For example, a consumer added as an authorized user on a spouse's low‑balance credit card typically raises VantageScore 4.0 by 10‑20 points, since VantageScore counts active authorized‑user accounts. Many FICO 8/9 models, however, exclude authorized‑user revolving accounts from the score, so the FICO Score stays the same, creating a point difference.

In a mixed file where only Experian reports an authorized‑user mortgage, VantageScore uses the Experian data and adds the mortgage as an installment tradeline, while a FICO model that pulls from TransUnion and Equifax sees no mortgage and leaves the score unchanged, again widening the gap. See FICO authorized‑user scoring guide for details.