Home Affordability · 690 Credit Score

How much house can you afford with a 690 credit score?

A good score — every program open, respectable pricing. Calculator prefilled with an estimated rate for this range; adjust anything.

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For educational purposes only. Not financial advice. Actual loan approval depends on credit score, employment history, and lender criteria. Consult a mortgage professional before making home buying decisions.

A 690 credit score is a good score by any lender's definition. Every program is open, conventional pricing is respectable, and PMI costs start looking reasonable. You're one tier below the 700-club pricing and two below the 740+ tier where rates effectively stop improving.

At this level the biggest lever on your rate isn't your score — it's shopping lenders. Studies consistently show borrowers who get 3–5 quotes save thousands over the loan versus taking the first offer.

What loans can you get with a 690 credit score?

FHA
✓ Eligible
3.5% down (580+ minimum)
Conventional
✓ Eligible
qualifies (620+ minimum)
VA
✓ Eligible
no official floor; you clear typical overlays
USDA
✓ Eligible
automated approval (640+)

Conventional is usually the default at this score. FHA only tends to win if your down payment is under 5% and you plan to refinance within a few years.

The numbers at 690: a worked example

Take a buyer earning $85,000 a year, with $400/month in existing debt and $25,000 saved for a down payment, on a 30-year loan:

Estimated rate at a 690 score6.72%
Max home price (bank approval estimate)$255,000
Estimated monthly payment (P&I + tax + insurance)$1,980/mo
Same buyer with a 760+ score$257,000
Buying power cost of a 690 score−$2,000

PMI with less than 20% down is moderate here — roughly $35–50 per month per $100,000 borrowed — and drops off automatically at 20% equity.

What improving your score would buy you

At a 730 score (estimated 6.57%), the same buyer could afford about $257,000 — $2,000 more house for the same income and monthly budget. Crossing 700, then 720, each shaves a bit more off conventional pricing and PMI. Low utilization and zero new accounts in the 90 days before applying is the playbook.

Every credit score, same math

Rules and pricing change at 580, 620, 640, and every 20 points beyond. Pick your exact score, or use the main affordability calculator if credit isn't your constraint:

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Common Questions

Can I buy a house with a 690 credit score?
Yes, easily. 690 is a good score — every program approves, and conventional pricing is respectable. Your rate will improve at the 700 and 720 tiers, but lender shopping will likely save you more than score improvement at this point.
What kind of mortgage can I get with a 690 credit score?
FHA: yes — 3.5% down (580+ minimum). Conventional: yes — qualifies (620+ minimum). VA: yes — no official floor; you clear typical overlays. USDA: yes — automated approval (640+). These minimums are program rules; individual lenders can set stricter ones.
What mortgage rate can I expect with a 690 credit score?
Roughly 6.72% on a 30-year fixed as a mid-2026 national estimate, though your actual rate depends on the lender, loan type, down payment, and market conditions on the day you lock. Borrowers in this range see wide pricing spreads between lenders, so compare at least three quotes.
How much house can I afford with a 690 credit score?
Income and debts matter more than the score itself. As a benchmark: a buyer earning $85,000 a year with $400/month in other debts and $25,000 down could afford roughly $255,000 at a 690 score (estimated 6.72% rate), versus about $257,000 with a 760+ score. Use the calculator above with your own numbers.
How can I improve my credit score before buying?
Crossing 700, then 720, each shaves a bit more off conventional pricing and PMI. Low utilization and zero new accounts in the 90 days before applying is the playbook.