Why Is My TransUnion Score Lower Than Experian?

Your TransUnion score can be lower than your Experian score for several common reasons.

• Different scoring models: TransUnion often uses a FICO version that weighs factors slightly differently than Experian's VantageScore, creating a natural gap (see 'different scoring models and why you see a gap').
• Reporting timing: TransUnion updates most data 30‑45 days after a creditor files, so recent balances or payments may still be missing while Experian already reflects them (see 'reporting timing that makes TransUnion look worse').
• Creditors that report only to TransUnion: Some banks and rent‑reporting services send information exclusively to TransUnion, adding accounts or missed payments that Experian never sees (see 'creditors who report only to TransUnion').
• Derogatory items shown only on TransUnion: Collections, charge‑offs, or bankruptcies sometimes appear in TransUnion's file but not in Experian's due to differing data sources (see 'derogatory items TransUnion shows but Experian doesn't').
• Errors on the TransUnion report: Duplicate entries, incorrect balances, or outdated personal details can artificially lower the TransUnion score (see 'errors on your TransUnion report dragging your score').

TransUnion score and Experian score often differ because each bureau may apply a different scoring model - for example, a newer FICO version versus an older VantageScore version. Even when the underlying credit data match, the formulas weight factors such as payment history, credit utilization, and recent inquiries differently, so the same account can produce a higher number at one bureau and a lower number at another. (See FICO scoring model overview for details.)

These model variations set the stage for the timing gaps we explore next; TransUnion score can look worse simply because a recent payment or balance update hasn't reached that bureau yet, while Experian score already reflects the change. The following section breaks down how reporting windows of 30‑45 days create the visual discrepancy you're seeing.

TransUnion often receives credit updates later than Experian, so the TransUnion score can appear lower simply because the data is older. This timing lag stems from several common practices that affect when information shows up in your file.

• Many lenders submit reports to TransUnion on a monthly cycle, while Experian gets them weekly, creating a 30‑45 day gap.
• New accounts or balance changes may post to Experian immediately but appear on TransUnion after the next batch run.
• Late‑payment notifications frequently reach TransUnion a few days after Experian, temporarily dragging the TransUnion score down.
• End‑of‑month 'closing' dates trigger bulk uploads to TransUnion, so activity during the month may not affect the score until the following month.
• Some creditors prioritize Experian for real‑time reporting and only add TransUnion later, meaning the TransUnion file can lag behind the Experian file for weeks.

These timing differences set the stage for the next section on creditors who report only to TransUnion, which can further widen the score gap.

Creditors that report only to TransUnion are lenders or service providers that send payment history exclusively to TransUnion, leaving Experian without that data. Because the TransUnion score includes these accounts while the Experian score does not, the extra positive or negative information can cause a noticeable gap.

Typical examples include many regional credit unions, small‑bank auto lenders, some payday‑loan firms, utility companies such as electricity or gas providers, rent‑payment services, and a handful of store‑branded credit cards.

These entities often choose TransUnion as their sole reporting bureau, so their on‑time payments may boost a TransUnion score, while missed payments can drag it down, without affecting the Experian score. For a detailed list see the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau report.

TransUnion often lists collections from closed accounts, late payments reported by small credit unions, state‑filed tax liens, medical debt that a hospital sent directly, and rent‑payment data that only its network of furnishers tracks; each of these can sit on your TransUnion report for 30‑45 days after the creditor files, dragging your TransUnion score lower than your Experian score.

Experian may miss those items because its data partners do not receive them, it excludes certain public records after seven years, and it treats medical collections differently, waiting for insurance verification before reporting; these reporting gaps explain why the same borrower can see a higher Experian score, as highlighted in the 'different scoring models' section earlier. For a deeper dive, see credit reporting differences between bureaus.

A single inaccurate entry on your TransUnion file can shave dozens of points from your TransUnion score, even when Experian shows a cleaner record.

Common errors that drag your TransUnion score include:

• Misspelled name or wrong Social Security number, causing a mixed file.
• Outdated balance or credit limit that inflates utilization.
• Duplicate accounts that double‑count the same debt.
• Incorrect payment status, such as 'late' instead of 'current.'
• Stale collection entries that should have been removed after 7 years.

Identifying and disputing these mistakes usually clears the gap within 30‑45 days, after which your TransUnion score can align more closely with your Experian score.

Hard inquiries can lower your TransUnion score more than your Experian score because TransUnion's scoring model assigns a higher weight to recent credit pulls. The model treats each pull as a stronger signal of potential new debt, so a single inquiry may shave a few points off the TransUnion score while barely moving the Experian score.

Some lenders also send inquiry data only to TransUnion, meaning the same application appears as a hard pull on one bureau and not the other. That discrepancy shows up during the typical 30‑45‑day update cycle mentioned earlier and sets up the next section on creditors who report only to TransUnion.

Mixed file or identity issues can depress only your TransUnion score because that bureau may attach debts, inquiries, or public records to the wrong consumer profile.

TransUnion often links accounts by name, address, or partial Social Security data, so two people with similar identifiers can share one file; the added balances or late‑payment flags inflate risk for that profile while Experian keeps the records separate. Fraud alerts, old addresses, or a mistaken 'primary applicant' status may linger on TransUnion for 30‑45 days before correction, creating a gap that appears in the score comparison.

When you suspect a mixed file, file a dispute with TransUnion and track the outcome (see the 'Dispute TransUnion mistakes' section). Clearing the erroneous items usually brings the TransUnion score back in line with the Experian score, and you can read how to fix mixed credit files for step‑by‑step guidance.

Dispute errors on your TransUnion report and monitor the fixes to protect your TransUnion score.

1. Pull your latest TransUnion credit report. Mark every line that looks wrong - misspelled name, wrong balance, or a debt you never opened.
2. Collect supporting documents: bank statements, payoff letters, or identity‑theft reports that prove the mistake.
3. File the dispute. Use TransUnion's online portal or send a certified letter that lists each error, attaches the evidence, and requests a correction within the 30‑45 day investigation window. See Consumer Financial Protection Bureau guide on credit disputes.
4. Track the case number TransUnion provides. Log the filing date, expected resolution date, and any updates you receive by email or mail.
5. When the investigation closes, download the new report. Verify that the disputed items are now marked 'deleted' or 'updated.' If they remain, file a second dispute referencing the previous case number.
6. Keep a master spreadsheet of disputes, dates, and outcomes. This record helps you spot patterns, proves diligence if a lender questions your TransUnion score, and streamlines future corrections.

You can lift your TransUnion score in just five moves. These actions address the gaps we explored earlier and set up the fixes discussed in later sections.

• Pull your TransUnion report, flag any inaccuracies, and file disputes; updates may appear within 30‑45 days.
• Pay down balances on revolving accounts, especially those near the utilization threshold; lower utilization can improve the score quickly.
• Ask lenders that only report to TransUnion to add positive payment history; a new on‑time account may nudge the average age upward.
• Set up automatic payments to avoid missed due dates; consistent on‑time payments may boost the score over the next reporting cycle.
• Keep old credit lines open unless they carry high fees; preserving length of credit history can benefit the TransUnion model.