620 is the number you’ll see quoted everywhere, but it’s a rough average that hides the real picture. A 600-649 credit score still accesses about 95% of Austin’s rental market. Drop to 570-599 and you’re looking at 50-55% of available inventory. Below 550, options narrow to 8-12% — but they exist. The number that matters isn’t a single cutoff. It’s which tier you fall into and which property class you’re targeting.
You Google “credit score to rent apartment” and every result says the same thing. You need a 620. Maybe a 650. Possibly a 700 if you want something nice.
That’s not wrong, exactly. But it’s about as useful as saying “you need money to buy groceries.”
I’ve been placing renters in Austin apartments for yeeeaaaaars, and I hold TX Real Estate License #679806. I work directly with property managers at most Austin communities, and I see their screening criteria sheets before they publish anything online. Here’s what I can tell you from watching app after app get processed: half of the renters I help get approved have credit scores below 680.
That surprises people. Most apartment search advice makes it sound like anything under 700 means you’re out of luck. The reality is more nuanced, and honestly, more hopeful. Your credit score determines which type of apartment you can target, not whether you can rent at all. A brand-new luxury tower near The Domain screens differently than a 20-year-old complex in Southeast Austin. The property class, management company, and your income all factor into the decision alongside your credit number.
That distinction is what every other article on this topic skips. They give you one number and move on. I’m going to break down the actual tier system that property managers use, what it costs you at each level, and what to do if your score isn’t where you want it.
What Austin Apartments Actually Require
There’s no single credit score that unlocks every Austin apartment. The number varies by property class, which is shorthand for: newer, more expensive buildings are pickier, and older, lower-rent ones are more flexible.
Here’s the quick version I’ve noticed helping clients:
| Credit Score | Approximate Market Access | What You’re Looking At |
|---|---|---|
| 650+ | ~95% of Austin apartments | Full access including luxury and Class A+ |
| 600-649 | ~95% of market | Most properties; a handful of luxury communities decline |
| 570-599 | 50-55% of market | Class B and Second-Chance properties; Class A gets selective |
| 550-569 | 25-30% of market | Primarily Second-Chance and older Class B/C |
| Below 550 | 8-12% of market | Second-Chance properties only |
That “620 minimum” you keep reading online? It’s a rough midpoint. Some Class A properties set their floor at 650. Some Class C properties approve at 550. And two complexes with identical rent, identical build year, and identical unit layouts can have completely different credit minimums if they’re run by different management companies.
Here’s something most articles won’t tell you: if your credit is 650 or higher and your rental history is clean, you don’t need a locator for credit reasons. You have full market access. But credit access and local knowledge are two different things. A locator knows which buildings have paper-thin walls, which communities are running 12 weeks free with VISA gift cards right now, and which ones are worth skipping no matter how good the photos look. And if you’ve tried calling Austin apartment communities lately, you’ve probably noticed most of them don’t pick up anymore. They’re using AI to screen their calls. Good luck getting a straight answer about a move-in special from a chatbot.
How Austin’s Credit Tiers Actually Work
Property managers don’t just glance at your credit score and make a gut call. They slot you into tiers, and each tier triggers a different set of deposit requirements, income thresholds, and approval odds. This is how it plays out across the Austin market:
| Credit Tier | Score Range | Market Access | Security Deposit | Income Requirement | Property Types Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 650+ | ~95% | $0-500 (many waive entirely) | 3x rent | All including luxury |
| Tier 2 | 600-649 | ~95% | $300-800 | 3x rent | Most properties; some luxury declines |
| Tier 3 | 570-599 | 50-55% | $500-1,200 | 3x rent (some require 3.5x) | Class B and Second Chance |
| Tier 4 | 550-569 | 25-30% | $800-1,500 | 2.5x-3x rent | Second-Chance and older B/C |
| Tier 5 | Below 550 | 8-12% | One month’s rent or more | 2.5x-3x rent | Second-Chance only |
A few things jump out.
Tier 2 (600-649) is what I call the golden zone. You’re not at 700, but it doesn’t matter. 95% of Austin’s apartment inventory is still available to you. Deposits run a little higher at some places, but you’re not locked out of anything except a handful of picky luxury buildings. Most renters in this range don’t realize how many doors are open.
Tier 3 (570-599) is where the search gets strategic. You lose most Class A properties. Some communities start requiring a co-signer on top of higher deposits. But 50-55% of the market is still in play. That’s hundreds of Austin apartment communities.
Below 550, things narrow. You’re looking primarily at second chance properties — communities where screening criteria approves renters with credit challenges. They exist, some are solid options, but you’ll pay a risk premium: slightly higher rent than comparable units at standard properties and higher deposits if conditionally approved.
Each community’s screening criteria are set by their management company and can change without notice. Per Texas Property Code § 92.3515, landlords must provide written notice of their selection criteria before collecting an application fee. The tiers above represent general patterns across most Austin communities as of early 2026, not guaranteed thresholds at any specific property.
How Credit Affects Your Move-In Costs
Your credit score doesn’t just affect whether you get approved. It directly changes how much cash you need on move-in day.
Here’s what the first month looks like at a $1,400/month apartment, depending on your credit tier:
| Credit Score | Security Deposit | Admin Fee | Application Fee (2 adults) | Pet Deposit | Estimated Total Move-In |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 680+ | $0-300 | $100-250 | $100-200 | $200-400 | $1,800-2,150 |
| 600-679 | $400-700 | $150-300 | $100-200 | $200-400 | $2,250-3,000 |
| 550-599 | $700-1,200 | $200-350 | $100-200 | $300-500 | $2,700-3,650 |
| Below 550 | $1,400+ | $200-400 | $100-200 | $300-500 | $3,400-4,900 |
The gap between a 680 credit score and a 540 can mean $2,000-$3,000 in extra move-in costs for the exact same apartment. That’s not a rounding error. It’s the difference between moving in comfortably and scrambling to cover a deposit you didn’t budget for.
This is why checking your credit score before you start touring matters. You can set realistic expectations and budget accurately instead of falling in love with a unit, then getting blindsided at the leasing office when they tell you the deposit is $1,200 instead of the $200 you assumed.
What to Do When Your Credit Is Below 600
Most rental advice for low credit boils down to two suggestions: get a co-signer and offer a bigger deposit. That’s not wrong. But it’s incomplete, and it misses the strategy that actually opens the most doors.
Co-signing and deposit replacement services. This is the option almost nobody writes about, and there are two different types that solve two different problems.
If you’re being denied because of credit, income, or rental history: The Guarantors and Liberty Rent act as your co-signer. They can turn a denial into an approval. It costs money (typically a percentage of your annual rent), and not every property accepts them, but the ones that do are specifically set up for renters in your situation. Some participating properties will also reduce your income requirement from 3x rent down to 2.5x.
If you’re approved but short on move-in cash: Rhino and Jetty replace your security deposit with a small monthly fee ($5-30/month depending on the program). They don’t help you get approved, but they can cut your upfront costs by $1,000+. Many properties only accept one specific provider, so which program works depends on where you’re applying.
Target the right property class. If your credit is 575, don’t burn a $50-100 application fee on a Class A+ luxury property that requires 650. Start with Class B and Class C communities, properties that are 15-30+ years old, typically charging $1,100-$1,600/month. These buildings were designed for a broader range of renters. A property manager at a 20-year-old complex in South Austin isn’t holding out for perfect-credit applicants. They need tenants who pay rent.
Higher security deposit. This works at many communities. Expect $800-$1,500 instead of the standard $200-500. The deposit is refundable when you move out (assuming you leave the unit in good condition), so it’s not lost money, just temporarily tied up.
Clean rental history compensates. Your credit score and your rental history are two different screening categories. If your credit is 570 but you’ve never been evicted, never owed money to a previous landlord, and can show 12+ months of on-time rent payments, that counts. A renter with 570 credit and spotless rental history is a stronger applicant than someone with 620 credit and an unpaid balance from their last apartment. Property debt — money owed to a previous landlord — is the one screening factor that almost no community will overlook.
If you’re dealing with credit below 550 combined with an eviction or broken lease, the search gets harder. That’s when calling someone who knows which communities approve complex profiles saves you real time and money. Call us at 512-320-4599. We can tell you whether you’ll qualify before you spend anything on application fees.
Credit Mistakes I See Austin Renters Make
Applying to everything and hoping for the best. Each apartment application costs $50-150, and each one triggers a hard credit inquiry that can drop your score up to five points. I’ve watched renters apply to six or seven places in a single week, get denied at all of them, and end up with a credit score 30-40 points lower than when they started searching. Targeted applications based on your actual credit tier beat the shotgun approach every time.
Thinking explanation letters will save you. About 85% of Austin apartment communities run automated screening. The algorithm processes your credit report, rental history, and background check. It doesn’t read your letter about medical debt or a rough year. Letters only matter at the 10-15% of properties that do genuine case-by-case reviews, and even then, only when your numbers are borderline. A 595 at a property with a 600 minimum? A letter might tip the scales. A 520 at a 620-minimum property? The letter won’t even get opened.
Confusing credit score with rental history. These are two separate screening categories. Most renters don’t know that. Your credit score reflects your financial behavior across all accounts: credit cards, car loans, medical debt. Your rental history is tracked separately through services like LexisNexis, and it shows evictions, broken leases, and money owed to previous landlords.
You can have a 700 credit score and still get denied if there’s a recent eviction on your rental history. And you can have a 570 credit score and sail through screening if your rental record is clean.
Here’s the thing that changes how you should think about this entire process: properties need tenants. A vacant unit costs the ownership group $50-60 per day in lost revenue. They’d rather approve a 580-credit renter with stable income and clean rental history than leave that unit sitting empty. The math favors you more than most apartment advice suggests — but only if you’re applying to communities where your profile actually fits their screening criteria.
Not sure which Austin apartments match your credit profile? Call us at 512-320-4599. We’ll tell you where to apply and where not to waste your money.
Credit Score Requirements by Austin Area
Austin’s apartment market isn’t uniform. The property class mix shifts by area, which means the credit minimums you’ll run into change depending on where you’re looking.
| Area | Dominant Property Class | Typical Credit Minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Domain / NW Austin | Class A and A+ | 600-630 | Newer construction, stricter screening |
| Downtown / Rainey St | Luxury / Class A+ | 630-680 | Highest minimums in the metro |
| East Austin | Mixed B/C with newer A | 530-600 | Widest range of screening flexibility |
| South Austin (78745, 78748) | Class B and C | 550-580 | Good inventory for mid-credit renters |
| Round Rock / Cedar Park | Mixed A/B | 580-630 | Suburban, moderate screening |
| SE Austin / Del Valle | Class C and Second-Chance | 480-550 | Most flexible screening in the metro |
The pattern is simple: areas with more Class A and luxury inventory screen harder. Areas with older Class B and C inventory set lower bars. The City of Austin’s renter resources page has general rental guidance, but nothing about how property class affects your credit threshold. If your credit is 580, you’ll find more options in South Austin or East Austin than in the Domain corridor or downtown.
That said, exceptions exist in every area. A Class B property in Northwest Austin might approve at 580 while a newly renovated complex in East Austin might require 640. So the area tells you where to start looking, not where your search ends.
Credit Score FAQ for Austin Renters
Can I rent an apartment in Austin with a 500 credit score?
Yes, but your options are limited to roughly 8-12% of the market. You’re looking at Second-Chance properties, and you’ll almost certainly need a co-signer. Expect higher deposits ($1,400+) and higher monthly costs than what a 650+ applicant pays for a comparable unit.
Options exist. They just cost more upfront.
Do Austin apartments run hard or soft credit pulls?
Most run hard inquiries through screening services like TransUnion SmartMove or Experian RentBureau. Each application can drop your score up to five points. Some apartment locators can do preliminary soft-pull checks to narrow your list before you formally apply, saving both money and credit score points.
What’s the average credit score for Austin renters?
National data puts the average renter credit score around 638-650. Austin skews slightly higher because of the tech-heavy employment base, but that’s an average. It includes renters at every tier. Falling below average doesn’t mean you can’t rent. It means you need to target the right property class for your score.
Can I rent in Austin with no credit history?
No credit history is different from bad credit, and most properties treat it differently. Many communities approve applicants with no established credit if income hits 3x rent and a co-signer or guarantor is provided. Students and recent graduates rent in Austin without credit history all the time, especially near UT’s campus, where properties are set up for exactly this situation.
Does paying rent build my credit score?
Only if you use a rent reporting service. Standard rent payments don’t automatically show up on your credit report. Services like Rent Reporters or Boom report your on-time payments to the credit bureaus for a monthly fee. Not every scoring model counts rental data yet, but it helps build your credit file over time.
Will my credit score affect my security deposit amount?
Yes — more than most renters expect. A 680+ score often means a $0-300 deposit. A 570 might mean $700-1,200. Below 550, expect at least one full month’s rent as a deposit. Some properties also offer deposit alternatives (monthly deposit insurance programs) regardless of your credit score, though these add to your recurring costs. Under Texas law, your landlord must return the deposit within 30 days of move-out, minus any valid deductions.
Can a co-signer help if I have bad credit?
A co-signer helps, but they need strong credit themselves, typically 680+ with enough income to cover both their own housing costs and yours. A co-signer doesn’t erase your credit from the screening equation. It adds a backup layer of financial security for the landlord. For renters with credit below 550, a third-party co-signing service like The Guarantors or Liberty Rent is often more effective than a traditional co-signer because it doesn’t require a family member to take on your full lease liability.
How fast can I improve my credit score before applying?
Quick wins exist. Paying down credit card balances below 30% utilization can bump your score 20-40 points within a single billing cycle, about 30 days. Disputing errors on your credit report through Experian, TransUnion, or Equifax can also produce fast results if inaccuracies are found and removed. Building credit from scratch takes longer, typically 3-6 months of consistent on-time payments to generate a scoreable file.
Do all Austin apartments check credit?
Almost all of them. The rare exceptions are private landlords renting individual properties: duplexes, garage apartments, small owner-managed units. Professional management companies, which run the vast majority of Austin’s apartment communities, check credit on every single applicant without exception.
What’s the difference between FICO and VantageScore for apartment screening?
Most Austin apartment screening services pull a version of the FICO score, though some use VantageScore. The two can differ by 20-40 points for the same person. If you checked your score on Credit Karma (which uses VantageScore), the FICO score the apartment pulls could be higher or lower. Check both before you apply so you know what they’ll see.
The Bottom Line on Credit and Austin Apartments
Your credit score sets the starting point, but it doesn’t make the final decision alone. The property class you target, the income you can document, and the condition of your rental history all carry weight in screening. A 590-credit renter with $5,000/month income and zero rental issues will get approved at dozens of Austin communities that a 640-credit renter with a recent eviction won’t.
Know your tier. Target the right property class for that tier. Don’t scatter applications hoping to get lucky — each one costs money and credit score points you can’t get back. And if your credit is below 600 or you’re dealing with layered issues (low credit plus a broken lease, limited income, or a background concern), work with someone who already knows which communities will say yes to your specific profile.
We offer free apartment locating services in Austin and surrounding areas. This is a free service — you pay nothing. The apartment community pays our fee. Call 512-320-4599 or fill out the form above, and we’ll match your credit profile to the right properties before you spend a dime on application fees.
