FICO credit scores are holding up, but consumers are under pressure

Some offers on this page are from advertisers who pay us, which may affect which products we write about, but not our recommendations. See our Advertiser Disclosure . FICO credit scores are holding up, but consumers are under pressure Ivana Pino · Senior Writer Tue, August 25, 2026 at 4:57 PM EDT 4 min read Americans' average FICO credit score is holding steady, but experts say this number masks some affordability pressures and reveals how rising costs are shaping their financial decisions. Today, the average U.S. FICO score sits at 714, down one point from a year ago but unchanged from October 2025, according to a new FICO® Score Credit Insights report. A FICO credit score is a three-digit number that reflects the information in your credit reports and considers your payment history, amounts owed, credit history length, new credit, and credit mix. This score is used by lenders to make decisions about whether you qualify for mortgages, credit cards, loans, and more. The report serves as a snapshot of consumers' credit health as rising costs tied to auto loans, housing, and credit cards put pressure on household budgets. Read more: How are credit scores calculated? Affordability remains an issue Affordability remains a struggle for many Americans, particularly among lower-scoring and thin-file borrowers. The report showed that the average monthly payment for a first-time home buyer increased 57% since 2019, and mortgage balances for borrowers with scores below 620 have grown 4…