12 Best Credit Cards for Low-Income Earners (2026)
Writer: Brittney Mayer
Brittney Mayer, Credit Analyst
Brittney is a Credit Strategist and Finance Expert who has spent years honing her knowledge of the credit industry both personally and professionally. Brittney applies her more than a decade of research experience to crafting in-depth consumer guides designed to help CardRates readers make better, more informed financial decisions.
Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of editing and journalism experience to the CardRates team. She has worked at The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Gwinnett Daily News, Gainesville Sun, and The New York Times, where she covered demographics, consumer issues, and the business and financial sectors. Lillian has a degree in journalism and communications from Georgia State University and brings her fact-checking expertise to ensure Digital Brands content is accurate and engaging.
Ashley Fricker has more than a decade of experience as a finance contributor and editor, and has specialized in the credit card industry since 2015. Her credit card commentary is featured on national media outlets that include CNBC, MarketWatch, Investopedia, and Reader's Digest, among many others. She has worked closely with the world’s largest banks and financial institutions, up-and-coming fintech companies, and press and news outlets to curate comprehensive content and media. Ashley holds a bachelor's degree in multimedia journalism from Florida Atlantic University.
With seemingly endless options available, finding the best credit cards for low income may seem like a challenge. Thankfully, that broad range of card options means there are a number of credit cards suitable for those currently earning less than average.
Although the median household income in the U.S. is a respectable $57,617, that number doesn’t really tell the whole story. By its nature, a median number is simply the one in the middle — which means 50% of Americans take home less than the national median, including more than 40 million people who live below the poverty line.
For many struggling to make ends meet on a low income, it isn’t always a matter of sticking to a simple budget; in many cases, it really comes down to finding every last penny — and putting them to work. While this can mean cutting out unnecessary expenses, some things can’t always be cut. Credit cards, for instance, have become a virtual necessity in today’s digital world but, thankfully, they don’t have to be an expensive one.
Best “Fair Credit” Cards for People with Low Incomes
Those with fair credit are often consumers who are just starting to build a credit history or who are rebuilding their credit scores after a few mistakes — both situations that can be made more difficult by a low income. When it comes to unsecured credit cards, many fair-credit applicants will need to choose between a basic card with no annual fee or a rewards card with a fee.
Whether or not an annual fee is worth paying will depend mostly on how much value you’ll get out of the rewards and perks offered by the card. If you’ll earn enough cash back to break even (or better), the annual fee may not be a deal-breaker. Some of our top-rated fair-credit cards include unlimited cash back rewards and other popular perks.
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
Help build your credit through responsible use of a card like this
Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app
Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set
Pay by check, online or at a local branch, all with no fee - and pick the monthly due date that works best for you
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
No rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn, and you can use your cash back for any amount–get gift cards, cover purchases or redeem for cash. Plus, rewards don’t expire for the life of the account
Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card usage
Enjoy unlimited access to your credit score and tools to help you monitor your credit profile with CreditWise from Capital One
Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases with your SavorOne Card and enjoy exclusive access and cardholder perks
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Capital One SavorOne cardholders can pay with their rewards via PayPal Pay with Rewards and at Amazon.com
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200.
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Redeem cash back for any amount
No credit score required to apply.
No annual fee and build credit with responsible use.
0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 16.49% - 25.49% applies.
With fair credit, you may be near the edge of the range of acceptable credit profiles, particularly if you’re applying for cards that tend to prefer applicants with good credit or better. If you’re on the fence about which card to apply for and want to get an idea of your chances of being approved for cards from a particular issuer, you can try checking for pre-qualification offers.
While not a guarantee of acceptance, pre-qualifying for a particular card can mean you have a decent chance of approval. Similarly, not being pre-approved for a card can indicate your chances of approval are low. The best part is that pre-qualification uses a soft credit inquiry to estimate your approval chances, so checking for pre-qualification offers won’t damage your credit score.
Keep in mind that signing up for pre-qualified offers can increase the number of pre-approval offers you receive in your mailbox at home. If you want to opt-out of pre-qualification or pre-approval credit card offers at any time, visit OptOutPrescreen.com.
Best “Bad Credit” Cards for People with Low Incomes
Perhaps one of the most difficult situations to find yourself in is trying to rebuild bad credit with a low income. Without the ability to put forward capital or down payments, new lines of credit are often hard to obtain when your credit has been damaged by things like late payments, defaulted accounts, or even bankruptcy discharges.
Besides paying down your outstanding debt as quickly as possible, one of the best things you can do for your credit is to start rebuilding a positive payment history. This may mean obtaining a credit card designed for bad-credit applicants and using it to make small purchases each month, always ensuring you pay in full and on time. You can start your card comparison with our picks below.
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
Building your credit? Using the Capital One Platinum Secured card responsibly could help
Put down a refundable security deposit starting at $49 to get at least a $200 initial credit line
You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking to access your account from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app
When you need to build — or rebuild — your credit score, your credit card options will likely come down to an unsecured credit card with high fees, a closed-loop store card, or a secured credit card. Unsecured and store cards for bad credit will typically have high APRs, so you may want to consider a secured card with a lower APR if you are prone to carrying a balance.
Although some consumers are wary of the deposit required to open a secured credit card, most secured cards will allow you to make a smaller initial deposit, then add to your card over time to increase your limit. Plus, unlike the annual and processing fees from unsecured cards, your deposit will be returned to you when you close your secured credit card account.
Best “No Annual Fee” Cards for People with Low Incomes
One of the most common fees in the credit card world is the annual fee, usually charged by credit card issuers to cover the cost of special perks or particularly lucrative rewards. Given the number of superfluous credit cards on the market these days, however, a large number of issuers have started offering cards without annual fees as a way to entice new applicants.
While plenty of options are available for a wide range of credit types, if you want to earn rewards without paying an annual fee, you’ll likely need at least good credit. Many of our favorite annual-fee-free credit cards will provide solid rewards, including both bonus category and unlimited cash back options, as well as including introductory 0% APR offers for extra value.
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.24% - 27.99%.
No annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex℠ card
Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
Intro (Purchases)0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months
Intro (Transfers)0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months
Regular APR19.24% - 27.99% Variable
Annual Fee$0
Credit NeededGood/Excellent
Additional Disclosure: Non-Monetized. The information related to Chase Freedom Flex℠ was collected by CardRates and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates does not receive commission for this product.
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Redeem cash back for any amount. No annual fee.
Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.49% to 26.49% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% - 28.49%.
No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
Member FDIC
Intro (Purchases)0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months
Intro (Transfers)0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months
Regular APR18.99% - 28.49% Variable
Annual Fee$0
Credit NeededGood/Excellent
Additional Disclosure: Non-Monetized. The information related to Chase Freedom Unlimited® was collected by CardRates and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates does not receive commission for this product.
Although annual fees can be a pain, there are some cases in which they might be worth paying. One such case is when the rewards you can earn will pay for the annual fee — and add a little profit, too. A great example of this phenomenon is the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, which offers 6% cash back on groceries up to $6,000 a year. Spend more than $32 a week on groceries and you’ll come out ahead.
Another situation in which paying an annual fee might be worth the cost is in cases when you have an existing credit card that charges a fee. Depending on the age of the card and the size of its credit limit, canceling the card rather than paying the annual fee might actually hurt your credit score. Consider the possible implications before canceling any credit accounts.
Best “Low Ongoing APR” Cards for People with Low Incomes
It isn’t usually the annual fee that makes credit cards an expensive problem. With the average credit card charging an APR between 16% and 21%, the most expensive part of paying with plastic for many people will often be the compounding interest fees.
The easiest way to avoid interest fees is, of course, to pay your total balance before the end of the grace period, which extends to your bill’s due date each month. When you know you’re prone to carrying a balance, however, the better option is to find a card with a low ongoing APR. Our top-rated cards with low ongoing APRs offer rates in the low teens to those who qualify.
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on Balance Transfers and Convenience Checks that post to your account within 90 days of account opening. After this time, the Variable Regular APR will apply to your balance.
Our lowest-rate card: Pay less in interest if you carry a balance from month to month
Travel benefits include Auto Rental Coverage, Travel Accident Insurance, Baggage Delay and Reimbursement, and Trip Cancellation and Interruption Coverage
No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
This offer is only open to members of military-affiliated groups and their families
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Redeem cash back for any amount. No annual fee.
Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.49% to 26.49% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
No annual fee, foreign transaction fee, balance transfer fee, or cash advance fees
Must meet eligibility criteria to join Digital Federal Credit Union
Fraud notifications and the ability to freeze/unfreeze your credit card
When you add your DCU credit or debit card to your Mobile Wallet and make a purchase, your personal information is encrypted – so even if retailer is hacked, your cards won’t be compromised
For the most part, each credit card has a predetermined range of potential APRs associated with that card based on its potential user demographics. Cards marketed toward lower-risk applicants will have lower APR ranges, while those marketed toward higher-risk applicants will have higher APR ranges. For example, a prime credit card might have a range from 12% to 18%, while a subprime card might go from 21% to 27%.
While the card’s range establishes the potential APRs available, your credit profile — usually represented by your credit score — will have the most impact on where in a given card’s APR range your offer falls. Those with the best credit scores will typically receive an offer at the lower end of the range, while those with lower scores will generally receive an offer at the higher end of the range.
Low-Income Cards Can Still Have Big Rewards
Depending on the size of your family and the area in which you live, even the nation’s median income of $57,617 might not be enough to provide more than a modest quality of life. For the millions of households making well below that median, making ends meet can be a daily struggle.
Unfortunately, no matter how much you tighten your budget, some of life’s expenses aren’t avoidable, and a credit card is increasingly becoming one of those unavoidable expenses. With a little research, however, you can often find credit card options for low-income applicants that won’t break your budget’s bottom line.
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