Minimum Credit Score to Buy a House
The minimum credit score to buy a house depends on the loan: 500 for an FHA loan (with 10% down), 580 for FHA with the low 3.5% down payment, 620 for a conventional loan, and roughly 700 for a jumbo loan. VA and USDA loans set no federal minimum, but lenders typically want about 580–640.
These are program floors, not targets. A higher score unlocks lower interest rates and cheaper mortgage insurance, so the difference between “qualifying” and “qualifying well” can be worth tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.
Minimum credit score by loan type
The chart shows the typical minimum score for each loan type. VA and USDA loans (marked *) have no government-set minimum — the numbers shown are common lender requirements, which vary by lender. Government-backed FHA loans reach lowest, down to 500 with a larger down payment.
| Loan type | Minimum score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FHA (10% down) | 500 | Lowest floor of any program |
| FHA (3.5% down) | 580 | The standard low-down FHA option |
| VA | 580–620* | No VA minimum; lender requirement |
| USDA | 640* | No USDA minimum; lender requirement |
| Conventional | 620 | Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac floor |
| Jumbo | 700+ | Above the conforming loan limit |
Why your score matters beyond qualifying
Meeting the minimum only gets you in the door. Your score also sets your interest rate and, on conventional loans, your PMI rate — both of which fall sharply as your score rises. A borrower at 760+ can pay noticeably less every month than one who just clears the 620 floor on the identical loan.
If your score is near a cutoff, even a small improvement before you apply can move you into a cheaper tier. Use the calculators below to see how the resulting rate changes your monthly payment.
Raising your score before you apply
The fastest levers are paying down credit-card balances (which lowers your utilization), making every payment on time, and not opening new accounts in the months before you apply. Checking your credit reports for errors and disputing them can also help quickly.
Because the jump from one score tier to the next can cut both your rate and your mortgage insurance, spending a few months raising your score is often the highest-return move a would-be buyer can make.
What credit score do you need to buy a house?
As low as 500 with an FHA loan and 10% down, or 580 for FHA with 3.5% down. Conventional loans generally require 620, VA and USDA lenders typically want 580–640, and jumbo loans usually need about 700.
Can I buy a house with a 500 credit score?
Yes, through an FHA loan with at least 10% down. It is the only mainstream program that reaches that low, and your interest rate and mortgage insurance will be higher than for a borrower with stronger credit.
What is the minimum credit score for a conventional loan?
Generally 620, the floor set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Below that you would typically need an FHA loan, and a higher score than 620 earns lower rates and cheaper private mortgage insurance.
Do VA loans have a minimum credit score?
The VA sets no minimum, but individual lenders do — most look for a score in the 580–620 range. Because requirements vary, it is worth shopping multiple VA lenders if your score is on the lower end.