A Mortgage Research Network study found buying a home with a low-credit spouse could cost an extra $437 per month, or nearly $63,000 over the average homeownership tenure.
Key Findings
$437 per month: The average added monthly cost for high-credit buyers when purchasing a home with a low-credit spouse
14.4%: Average increase in monthly housing costs
$63,000: The average cost increase over the typical 12-year homeownership tenure
San Jose, CA: Highest dollar increase at $1,049/month
Memphis, TN: Steepest percentage jump at 30.2%
Sense of humor? Check. Solid job? Check. Wedding venue booked? Check. Credit score?
Skipping the credit talk before tying the knot could cost lovebirds dearly.
Newlyweds looking to nest might end up paying significantly more for their dream home, not because of granite countertops or walk-in closets, but due to uneven credit histories.
A new study from Mortgage Research Network found that buying a home with a low-credit spouse, defined as someone with a credit score below 640, could add $437 per month to the average mortgage payment compared to applying with someone who has a 760 or better credit score. That’s nearly $63,000 over 12 years, the average homeownership tenure per Redfin.
These added costs come from a mix of:
Higher mortgage interest rates
Steeper private mortgage insurance (PMI) premiums
More expensive homeowners insurance
Nationally, a house payment increases an average of 14.4% when adding a low-credit co-applicant. Costs spike even higher in some cities:
The biggest dollar increases in payment when adding a spouse with low credit were in:
San Jose, Calif.: $1,049
San Francisco.: $926
San Diego: $751
Los Angeles: $671
Seattle: $664
Cities with the largest payment increases by percentage when adding a low-credit love:
Memphis, Tenn.: 30.2%
Detroit: 29.9%
Oklahoma City: 24.1%
Kansas City, Mo.: 20.4%
Indianapolis: 19.2%
Calculations assume a 10% down payment and account for principal, interest, PMI, property taxes and homeowners insurance. Estimated costs were conducted for America’s 50 most populous cities.
Monthly Cost Increase When Buying a Home With a Low-Credit Partner
| City | Avg. Home Price | House Payment: Both Spouses ≥760 Credit Score | House Payment: One Spouse Has <640 Credit Score | $ Increase | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average for All 50 Cities | $480,649 | $3,449 | $3,886 | $437 | 14.4% |
| Albuquerque, N.M. | $345,861 | $2,420 | $2,848 | $427 | 17.7% |
| Atlanta, Ga. | $460,371 | $3,252 | $3,697 | $445 | 13.7% |
| Austin, Texas | $565,359 | $4,479 | $5,084 | $605 | 13.5% |
| Bakersfield, Calif. | $403,541 | $2,835 | $3,090 | $256 | 9.0% |
| Baltimore, Md. | $185,219 | $1,438 | $1,555 | $117 | 8.2% |
| Boston, Mass. | $881,685 | $6,250 | $6,808 | $558 | 8.9% |
| Buffalo, N.Y. | $235,659 | $1,867 | $2,084 | $217 | 11.6% |
| Charlotte, N.C. | $414,689 | $2,923 | $3,245 | $322 | 11.0% |
| Chicago, Ill. | $311,927 | $2,587 | $2,980 | $393 | 15.2% |
| Cincinnati, Ohio | $256,253 | $1,953 | $2,234 | $281 | 14.4% |
| Colorado Springs, Colo. | $472,774 | $3,372 | $3,872 | $499 | 14.8% |
| Columbus, Ohio | $270,234 | $2,053 | $2,342 | $290 | 14.1% |
| Dallas, Texas | $333,297 | $2,798 | $3,255 | $458 | 16.4% |
| Denver, Colo. | $611,714 | $4,261 | $4,848 | $587 | 13.8% |
| Detroit, Mich. | $ 76,048 | $ 711 | $ 924 | $212 | 29.9% |
| El Paso, Texas | $232,210 | $2,065 | $2,459 | $394 | 19.1% |
| Fort Worth, Texas | $307,750 | $2,612 | $3,054 | $442 | 16.9% |
| Fresno, Calif. | $402,733 | $2,829 | $3,085 | $255 | 9.0% |
| Houston, Texas | $276,943 | $2,389 | $2,811 | $422 | 17.7% |
| Indianapolis, Ind. | $236,071 | $1,769 | $2,109 | $340 | 19.2% |
| Jacksonville, Fla. | $303,648 | $2,227 | $2,522 | $295 | 13.2% |
| Kansas City, Mo. | $252,291 | $1,966 | $2,368 | $402 | 20.4% |
| Las Vegas, Nev. | $462,857 | $3,066 | $3,458 | $392 | 12.8% |
| Long Beach, Calif. | $939,895 | $6,369 | $6,964 | $595 | 9.3% |
| Los Angeles, Calif. | $1,060,048 | $7,161 | $7,832 | $671 | 9.4% |
| Louisville, Ky. | $260,252 | $1,937 | $2,251 | $314 | 16.2% |
| Memphis, Tenn. | $150,172 | $1,202 | $1,565 | $363 | 30.2% |
| Mesa, Ariz. | $457,565 | $3,141 | $3,624 | $483 | 15.4% |
| Miami, Fla. | $672,911 | $4,669 | $5,198 | $529 | 11.3% |
| Milwaukee, Wis. | $218,404 | $1,693 | $1,966 | $274 | 16.2% |
| Nashville, Tenn. | $462,037 | $3,205 | $3,765 | $560 | 17.5% |
| New York, N.Y. | $845,517 | $6,322 | $6,926 | $603 | 9.5% |
| Oklahoma City, Okla. | $207,274 | $1,897 | $2,354 | $457 | 24.1% |
| Omaha, Neb. | $292,842 | $2,490 | $2,910 | $420 | 16.9% |
| Orlando, Fla. | $409,520 | $2,927 | $3,289 | $362 | 12.4% |
| Philadelphia, Pa. | $224,632 | $1,709 | $1,974 | $265 | 15.5% |
| Phoenix, Ariz. | $433,068 | $2,984 | $3,452 | $468 | 15.7% |
| Pittsburgh, Pa. | $240,228 | $1,819 | $2,094 | $275 | 15.1% |
| Portland, Ore. | $571,773 | $3,919 | $4,403 | $484 | 12.4% |
| Raleigh, N.C. | $455,557 | $3,190 | $3,538 | $348 | 10.9% |
| Rochester, N.Y. | $230,979 | $1,832 | $2,047 | $214 | 11.7% |
| Sacramento, Calif. | $500,588 | $3,474 | $3,791 | $317 | 9.1% |
| San Antonio, Texas | $259,391 | $2,262 | $2,673 | $411 | 18.2% |
| San Diego, Calif. | $1,184,987 | $7,984 | $8,734 | $751 | 9.4% |
| San Francisco, Calif. | $1,461,683 | $9,807 | $10,733 | $926 | 9.4% |
| San Jose, Calif. | $1,656,706 | $11,092 | $12,141 | $1,049 | 9.5% |
| Seattle, Wash. | $984,661 | $6,672 | $7,335 | $664 | 9.9% |
| Tucson, Ariz. | $342,816 | $2,407 | $2,817 | $410 | 17.1% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $425,898 | $2,963 | $3,378 | $416 | 14.0% |
| Washington, D.C. | $783,912 | $5,201 | $5,791 | $589 | 11.3% |
See the methodology at the end of this study.
For Richer or Poorer? How a Lower-Credit Spouse Weighs On Finances
Weddings may cost $36,000 on average in 2025, according to Zola, but that’s just the start of steep expenses for couples with mismatched credit scores.
Many buyers know that a low credit score means a higher mortgage rate. But the financial toll doesn’t stop there when one partner brings lower credit to the table:
Lenders use the lower credit score, not the average, when two people apply for a mortgage.
Leaving the lower-credit spouse off the loan isn’t always possible because many couples need both incomes to qualify.
Private mortgage insurance (PMI) can be significantly more expensive for borrowers with low credit, according to MGIC.
In nine community property states, a spouse’s debts and sometimes credit score must be factored in, even if they’re not on the loan (for FHA, VA, and USDA loans).
Homeowner’s insurance is pricier for lower-credit borrowers in every state except California, Maryland and Massachusetts, according to NerdWallet.
And the financial ripple effect can extend beyond housing: Low credit can drive up costs for auto insurance1, car loans2 credit cards3 and more.
Credit Scores Appear Predictive of Relationship Success
Talking about credit scores may not feel romantic, but it might be wise. Research shows that couples with higher and more similar credit scores are more likely to stay together.
A 2015 Federal Reserve study found that couples with a 66-point credit score gap had a 24% higher risk of breakup during the first four years of their relationship and a 12% higher risk during years five and six.
But it's not just the difference that matters. Higher average credit scores also predicted relationship longevity. For every 93-point increase in a couple's average score, the likelihood of separation dropped by 37% during the first six years.
The study suggests credit scores may reflect more than financial habits.
“These results lead us to hypothesize that credit scores, in addition to measuring an individual’s creditworthiness regarding the repayment of debt obligations reveal information about an important relationship skill,” says the study’s authors. “We argue that one such skill could be an individual’s general trustworthiness and commitment to non-debt obligations.”
Should a couple call it quits over bad credit? That’s a personal decision. But spending over $400 more per month on a home and potentially facing a higher breakup risk might justify exchanging credit reports before vows.
One day, credit transparency could become standard in pre-marriage planning. It might already be happening.
In 2024, Neon Money Club launched SCORE, a dating app that only accepted users with credit scores of 675 or higher. Though the app is currently closed to new members, its appeal was clear: People want to build relationships on a financially solid foundation.
Homebuying Options for Credit-Mismatched Couples
Should a high-credit bride cancel the caterer? Not quite. If your partner’s credit needs work, you still have options.
Time Can Heal
Homebuying often happens long after the wedding. Newlyweds fresh off a $36,000 celebration may not be ready to buy anyway, giving the lower-credit spouse time to improve their credit before applying.
FHA Loans
While conventional loans are common for strong-credit buyers, FHA loans can be far more affordable when one borrower has poor credit. According to Optimal Blue Mortgage Market Indices, FHA rates averaged 0.55% lower than conventional rates over a 30-day period ending May 23, 2025 for down payments below 20% and credit scores under 680. The FHA rate would save $146 per month on a $400,000 loan.
FHA mortgage insurance can also be cheaper. On a $400,000 loan with 10% down, choosing FHA over conventional with PMI could save $114 monthly, based on HUD and MGIC data.
USDA and VA Loans
USDA and VA loans are also worth exploring. These government-backed options offer zero-down payment financing and tend to offer similar rates and insurance premiums across credit tiers, making them more forgiving than conventional loans.
Refinance Later
Couples can also buy now and refinance later once credit improves. If they refinance when they have 20% equity, they might qualify to eliminate PMI altogether.
What’s Credit Got to Do With It?
Tina Turner once asked, “What’s love got to do with it?” Couples might ask what credit scores have to do with love, especially once the invitations are sent and the venue deposit is paid.
That’s a fair point. Credit scores shouldn’t dictate love. But knowing the numbers might tip the scales toward “for richer” instead of “for poorer.”
Methodology
To arrive at cost differences when adding a low-credit spouse to a mortgage application, Mortgage Research Network reviewed the 50 largest metros based on Zillow’s ZHVI Single-Family Homes Time Series by City for April 2025.
Mortgage rates were from Optimal Blue Mortgage Market Indices, 30-day average rates for 30-year fixed conventional loans with LTVs higher than 80, with over 740 credit and below 680.
Conventional PMI rates were from MGIC, 30-year fixed mortgage with 10% down. The PMI rates used were 0.21% per year for 760 credit score and 0.84% per year for 620-639 credit score, including the 2+ borrower discount.
Homeowners insurance costs were from Nerdwallet based on $300,000 dwelling coverage in each state for “poor-credit” and “good-credit” consumers. National averages used for California, Maryland, and Massachusetts, which do not allow insurance companies to base rates on credit score.
Additional sources:
1 Bankrate: Auto Insurance Rates By Credit Score
2 Nerdwallet: Average Car Loan Interest Rates By Credit Score
