What Credit Score Do You Need to Rent an Apartment in 2026?

So you’re ready to rent an apartment, but maybe you’re worried about landlords checking your credit. What credit score do they require, and will you pass?

Landlords take a big risk when they rent an apartment. They want to know their tenant is financially responsible and more likely to pay rent than default on it, which is why they refer to your credit score.

What credit score do you need to rent an apartment (2026)?

As you might expect, the higher your credit score is, the better your chances of approval.

Landlords tend to look for a 680 or higher credit score, given that 680 is the average credit score in the U.S.

However, where you're looking to rent is a high factor in what credit score you need to rent an apartment, especially in 2026 as competition for apartments shifts.

Renting in less-competitive locations

If you're looking to rent an apartment in less competitive places in the U.S., such as many suburban areas, you're going to want a minimum of at least a 620 credit score.

Since you won't be competing with as many applicants, you can get away with a lower credit score. However, just because the area is not as competitive, this doesn't mean that credit scores don't matter

Landlords still want to see a good enough credit score to ensure that they can expect their rent payments on time. A 620 credit score allows landlords to have reasonable confidence in your ability to pay rent on time, without you having to really push your credit score higher.

Renting in competitive locations

If you're looking to rent an apartment in more competitive locations, such as a major U.S. city, you're going to want at least a 740 credit score.

This is because you'll most likely be competing with other applicants, so even if you have a "good enough" credit score, the landlord might go with the other applicant since their better credit score indicates a higher degree in trust.

If you're wondering what makes an area more competitive, here are a few factors to consider:

• What time of year are you renting?
• What is the specific location? Are you near the city center, near a transit hub, or other valuable locations?
• What ammenities does the apartment itself have?

These are all factors that will determine just how competitive an apartment is.

location, time of year, and amenities. Just like when you buy a home, the busier the market is, the more competition you’ll have to face.

Conclusion

To landlords, your rent defines your risk - there's no one magic credit score that will get your application approved. With an increased competition in a busier market, landlords will be looking for higher credit scores to approve.

To better your chances of getting your dream apartment, take steps to build your credit to be representative of you.

For this, check out Kikoff, a credit building app that lets you build your credit score for as little as $5 per month.