What's the Average Equifax Credit Score?

Today's national average Equifax score is 680, according to Equifax's Q3 2024 consumer credit index (Equifax's latest consumer credit index), marking a modest rise of about two points from the previous quarter and placing it squarely in the 'good' range (670‑739); this figure provides the baseline you'll compare against when we examine how your state stacks up, how age and income influence scores, and why your Equifax score might differ from other bureaus.

• Look up your state's latest average Equifax score (Q3 2024); for example, California reports 690, which is 21 points below the national average Equifax score of 711.
• Subtract the national average from your state figure; a positive result means your state is above average, a negative result means it is below.
• Roughly every 10‑point gap shifts your position by 3‑5 % in the nationwide distribution, giving you a quick sense of relative standing.
• Remember that states with higher median incomes or lower average debt often sit above the national average, while states with larger student‑loan burdens may fall below.
• Keep this state comparison in mind when you read the next section on typical scores for your age group to gauge how personal factors interact with regional trends.

latest Equifax state‑average report

Typical Equifax scores rise with age, staying below the national average Equifax score of 665 in the early years and edging above it after the mid‑30s, according to the latest Q3 2024 data from Equifax 2024 credit‑score trends.

• 18‑24 years: median score ≈ 620
• 25‑34 years: median score ≈ 655
• 35‑44 years: median score ≈ 680
• 45‑54 years: median score ≈ 690
• 55‑64 years: median score ≈ 700
• 65 + years: median score ≈ 710

Typical Equifax scores for your income bracket fall into predictable bands. In Q3 2024, borrowers earning under $30,000 usually see an Equifax score between 650‑670, those in the $30,000‑$60,000 range average 670‑690, earners of $60,000‑$100,000 typically score 690‑710, and households above $100,000 often land between 710‑730.

These figures sit slightly above the national average Equifax score of 680 reported earlier in the article.

Higher income often correlates with lower credit utilization and more on‑time payments, which lifts the Equifax score. Conversely, lower‑income households may carry higher balances relative to limits, pulling scores down. Understanding where you sit helps explain why, as we'll explore next, your Equifax score may differ from other bureaus due to varying data feeds and scoring models. Equifax Q3 2024 credit trends report

Your Equifax score can differ from TransUnion or Experian because each bureau uses its own data set and scoring model.

• Some creditors report only to one or two bureaus, so a $500 medical collection might appear on Experian but not on your Equifax score, keeping it higher than the national average Equifax score of 672 in Q3 2024.
• Updates occur at different times; a payment posted today to TransUnion may not reach Equifax until the next cycle, creating temporary gaps between scores.
• Each bureau applies a proprietary algorithm; Equifax gives slightly more weight to recent credit utilization, while others may stress payment history, leading to score variation.
• Certain account types - rent, utilities, or student loans - are included by Equifax but excluded by the other bureaus, affecting the overall calculation.
• Errors or fraud flags are caught at different speeds; a disputed inquiry removed from Experian may still sit on your Equifax report, pulling the score down.

For detailed methodology, see Q3 2024 Equifax credit score trends.

If your Equifax score sits near the Q3 2024 national average of 679, lenders classify you as average risk; you'll likely qualify for most loans but may face higher interest rates or stricter terms. Scores above the average - typically 720 or higher - signal strong creditworthiness, unlocking better rates and larger credit limits, while scores well below the average - under 630 - often trigger sub‑prime offers, larger down payments, or the need for a co‑signer.

Lenders match score brackets to loan products: mortgages usually require a minimum of 620, auto loans start around 650, and credit‑card issuers prefer 680 or more, as outlined in recent credit scores lenders consider for loans. Your position relative to the national average therefore directly influences approval odds, loan cost, and available terms, paving the way to explore why scores can fall below average.

Your Equifax score can dip below the national average for several common reasons.

• Missed or late payments on any revolving or installment account raise the risk factor, pulling the score down from the typical Q3 2024 national average Equifax score of 680.
• High credit utilization - carrying balances above 30 % of your total credit limits - signals heavy reliance on credit and drags the Equifax score lower.
• A short credit history, such as opening several new accounts within the past year, reduces the length‑of‑credit component and often results in a below‑average score.
• Recent hard inquiries from multiple loan or credit‑card applications can temporarily depress the Equifax score, especially when combined with other risk factors.
• Inaccurate or outdated information, like a forgotten collection entry, can skew the calculation; correcting errors often lifts the score toward the national average. How credit scores are calculated

Your Equifax score is available at no cost through Equifax's free online portal. Follow these steps to see your score instantly.

1. Visit Equifax's free credit‑score page and click 'Get my free score.'
2. Create a MyEquifax account using your email, then set a strong password.
3. Verify your identity by answering three personal‑question prompts or providing a recent utility bill.
4. Once verified, the dashboard displays your current Equifax score alongside the national average Equifax score for Q3 2024 (around 680).
5. Bookmark the dashboard; the score refreshes monthly at no charge, letting you track progress as you apply the improvement tips in the next section.

You can raise your Equifax score in three months by targeting the three credit‑score pillars: payment history, credit utilization, and account mix. The national average Equifax score Q3 2024 sits around 711, so a 20‑40‑point lift can move you from below average to solidly above.

• Month 1 - Clean the foundation: pull your free Equifax report, flag any inaccuracies, and file disputes; set up automatic on‑time payments for every revolving and installment account; bring each credit‑card balance below 30 % of its limit (ideally under 10 %).
• Month 2 - Reduce balances and add positive tradelines: allocate extra cash to the highest‑interest cards first, then to any remaining balances; consider a secured credit card or become an authorized user on a trusted family member's account; avoid new hard inquiries while you pay down debt.
• Month 3 - Optimize limits and solidify habits: request credit‑limit increases on cards with good payment records (keep utilization low after the increase); maintain zero missed payments; continue monitoring your score weekly using free tools.

Sticking to this timeline, watching your utilization drop, and keeping every payment current typically yields a noticeable score bump by the end of the third month. For the data behind the average score see current national average Equifax score Q3 2024, and for evidence‑based tactics refer to proven methods to boost a credit score.

Your Experian Financial Stability Risk Score can look solid while hidden details tell a different story.

Misleading readings happen when:

• a recent credit freeze blocks new negative activity from updating the model,
• a short‑term income spike (e.g., a bonus or overtime) temporarily boosts the affordability metric,
• a joint account blends a partner's higher risk into your score,
• a recent address change resets geographic risk factors,
• an outdated public record (bankruptcy, tax lien) remains in the database until the next monthly refresh,
• seasonal cash‑flow swings (self‑employed freelancers, retailers) cause the algorithm to over‑ or under‑estimate stability,
• a small error in personal information (misspelled name, wrong DOB) misattributes data.

When any of these occur, dig into the underlying data line‑by‑line, request corrections, and monitor the score for at least 30 days after the change to see the true impact.

Pull your free Equifax report now; a sudden dip below the Q3 2024 national average Equifax score of 714 means something is off.

If you find unauthorized accounts or wrong balances, file a dispute on Equifax credit dispute portal and add a fraud alert or security freeze to block further abuse.

Watch the corrected score each week; a clean report clears the way for the realistic 3‑month plan to raise your Equifax score discussed later.