600 Credit Score: What It Means for Loans, Cards and Renting, and Realistic Next Steps

With a 600 credit score you can still get credit, but you’ll usually pay more for it. FICO rates 580 to 669 as fair and says many lenders will approve loans at that level [1], while on VantageScore a 600 is the highest score in the subprime tier [2].

That split matters. A few points either way can move you into VantageScore’s near-prime tier, which starts at 601 [2]. This guide covers what a 600 means in day-to-day life (borrowing, cards, housing) and a realistic plan you can run on your own.

What lenders see at 600

Lenders use your score to decide whether to say yes, and also to set your interest rate and credit limit [6]. At 600, the most common result isn’t a flat no. It’s a yes with less favorable terms: a higher rate, a lower limit, a bigger deposit or a co-signer request.

VantageScore warns that borrowers in its subprime tier may have trouble getting approved [2], and that near-prime borrowers may pay higher rates than prime ones [2]. Every lender sets its own cutoff, though [1], so one denial doesn’t mean the next lender will say the same.

Mortgages

FHA, the Federal Housing Administration, insures home loans made by private lenders [7]. Under FHA rules, a minimum decision credit score of 580 or higher qualifies for maximum financing. A score from 500 to 579 limits the loan to 90% of the home’s value [3]. HUD’s own page says an FHA down payment can be as low as 3.5% of the purchase price [7].

From January 1, 2027, FHA also accepts two newer scoring models, FICO 10T and VantageScore 4.0, alongside Classic FICO. HUD says the minimum score thresholds stay the same whichever model is used [3].

Credit cards

At 600, you may qualify for some unsecured cards, often with modest limits. If you’re turned down, a secured credit card is a common next step: you put down a deposit, often equal to your limit, and use the card like any other [8]. The CFPB notes that secured cards can carry high fees and interest rates, but can help you build a record [8].

Renting

Landlords use credit scores when they screen tenants [6]. There’s no national cutoff. Bring proof of income and a good reference from a past landlord, and ask up front what the property requires.

Start with the reports, not the score

The score is calculated from your credit reports, so begin there. Pull all three for free at AnnualCreditReport.com, where weekly reports are now permanent [4]. Read each one line by line. Look for:

• accounts you don’t recognize,
• late payments you’re sure you made on time,
• the same debt listed twice, for example once by the original lender and again by a collector as a separate open balance, and
• negative items older than the reporting limit (see How Long Negative Items Stay on Your Credit Report: The 7- and 10-Year Rules).

Fix what’s wrong

If something is inaccurate, dispute it with the bureau that shows it and with the company that furnished it [10]. Put it in writing, explain why it’s wrong, and attach copies of any proof [10]. The bureau must investigate free of charge, normally within 30 days [5]. The furnisher generally has 30 days to respond too [10]. If nothing changes and you still believe it’s wrong, file a complaint with the CFPB [10].

For an accurate late payment, you can write to the lender and ask for a goodwill adjustment, especially if it was a one-time slip with a good record before and since. The lender doesn’t have to agree.

Build forward

Removing errors helps only if there are errors. For most people at 600, the longer-term work is adding positive history. The CFPB’s rebuilding steps [8]:

1. Pay every bill on time. “On time” means the payment reaches the company by the due date.
2. Use less of your limits. Experts advise staying under 30% of your total credit limit; some say under 10% [8].
3. Space out applications. Opening many accounts in a short period can lower your score [8].
4. Try a secured card if you can’t get a regular one [8].
5. Know what doesn’t help. Paying with a debit or prepaid card doesn’t build credit, and even on-time payday loan payments might not help [8].

A credit builder loan is another option, especially if you have little debt now. See Credit Builder Loans: How They Work, What They Cost, and Who Offers Them.

How credit repair can help

If your reports show several items you believe are wrong, a credit repair company can do the heavy lifting. It pulls and reviews all three reports, spots items that may be inaccurate, incomplete, outdated or unverifiable, and files and tracks disputes with each bureau and with the creditors and collectors behind them. It sends validation and goodwill letters, follows up on the 30-day investigation deadlines [5], keeps records, and keeps going round after round. That saves you time and lets you focus on the habits that move a 600 upward.

Credit repair works on items that are inaccurate or can’t be verified; accurate, current information can’t be removed by anyone [11]. You can file disputes yourself; a company handles the work and the follow-up for you.

The Credit Repair Organizations Act gives you three protections that reputable companies follow. The company can’t charge you until it has performed the services it promised [12]. It has to give you a written contract with the services, the total cost and how long it will take [13]. And you can cancel without penalty before midnight of the third business day after you sign [14]. If errors are holding your score back, credit repair is a good option to consider.