Which state has the highest average credit score?

Minnesota consistently ranks #1 for average credit scores, with an average FICO score of approximately 742 in 2026. Other top states include Vermont (740), Wisconsin (737), New Hampshire (736), and South Dakota (735). These states tend to have lower cost-of-living pressures, higher median incomes relative to debt loads, and older average populations.

Which state has the lowest average credit score?

Mississippi has the lowest average credit score in the US at approximately 680 in 2026, followed by Louisiana (683), Alabama (686), Arkansas (688), and Texas (690). These states generally have higher poverty rates, lower median incomes, and higher rates of subprime borrowing.

Why do credit scores vary by state?

Credit score differences by state are driven by: median household income (higher income = more financial flexibility = fewer missed payments), average age of population (older states like Minnesota have longer credit histories), cost of living relative to wages, local economic conditions and unemployment rates, and bankruptcy rates. States with higher income inequality tend to have more polarized credit score distributions.

What is the national average credit score?

The national average FICO credit score is approximately 718 in 2026. This falls in the 'Good' range (670-739). The average has risen steadily from around 680 in 2010, driven by post-recession credit repair, student loan deferral programs, and consumer credit education.

Average Credit Score by State 2026 — All 50 States Ranked

The national average FICO credit score is 718 in 2026. But averages range from 742 in Minnesota to 680 in Mississippi — a 62-point spread that translates to real differences in borrowing costs for residents. Here are all 50 states ranked.

All 50 States Ranked by Average Credit Score (2026)

Rank	State	Avg. FICO Score	Rating
1	Minnesota	742	Very Good
2	Vermont	740	Very Good
3	Wisconsin	737	Very Good
4	New Hampshire	736	Very Good
5	South Dakota	735	Very Good
6	Massachusetts	734	Very Good
7	Nebraska	733	Very Good
8	Hawaii	732	Very Good
9	North Dakota	731	Very Good
10	Iowa	730	Very Good
11	Connecticut	729	Good
12	Washington	728	Good
13	Colorado	727	Good
14	Oregon	726	Good
15	Montana	725	Good
16	Utah	725	Good
17	Maine	724	Good
18	New Jersey	723	Good
19	Idaho	722	Good
20	Wyoming	722	Good
21	Kansas	721	Good
22	Maryland	720	Good
23	Rhode Island	720	Good
24	Virginia	719	Good
25	Alaska	718	Good
26	Pennsylvania	718	Good
27	Michigan	717	Good
28	Illinois	716	Good
29	Delaware	715	Good
30	Missouri	714	Good
31	California	713	Good
32	Indiana	712	Good
33	Ohio	711	Good
34	Arizona	710	Good
35	New York	710	Good
36	West Virginia	709	Good
37	Kentucky	706	Good
38	North Carolina	705	Good
39	South Carolina	703	Good
40	Tennessee	703	Good
41	New Mexico	701	Good
42	Georgia	700	Good
43	Nevada	699	Good
44	Oklahoma	696	Good
45	Florida	695	Good
46	Texas	690	Good
47	Arkansas	688	Good
48	Alabama	686	Good
49	Louisiana	683	Good
50	Mississippi	680	Good
—	National Average	718	Good

Estimates based on Experian State of Credit data trends, 2026.

Highest-Scoring States

Top 5 States (740+ Average)

Minnesota (742), Vermont (740), Wisconsin (737), New Hampshire (736), South Dakota (735)

These states share common characteristics:

Older median population — longer credit histories naturally build scores
Lower cost of living relative to income — less financial stress means fewer missed payments
Higher median household incomes — more financial capacity to manage credit responsibly
Lower unemployment rates — stable employment = consistent debt repayment

Minnesota has ranked #1 or #2 in nearly every Experian State of Credit report for the past decade.

Lowest-Scoring States

Bottom 5 States (690 and Below)

Mississippi (680), Louisiana (683), Alabama (686), Arkansas (688), Texas (690)

These states face structural headwinds:

Higher poverty rates — financial stress correlates directly with missed payments
Lower median incomes — less cushion for unexpected expenses
Higher rates of subprime borrowing — more residents in the Fair/Poor credit tiers
Younger median population in some cases — shorter credit histories

Note that Texas’s large population creates wide dispersion — major metros like Austin and Dallas have significantly higher average scores than the statewide average.

Scores by Region

Region	States	Avg. FICO
Upper Midwest	MN, WI, ND, SD, IA, NE	733
New England	MA, VT, NH, CT, ME, RI	730
Mountain West	CO, UT, MT, WY, ID	724
Mid-Atlantic	MD, NJ, PA, VA, DE, NY	717
Pacific	WA, OR, CA, AK, HI	719
South Atlantic	NC, SC, GA, FL	701
South Central	TX, LA, OK, AR, MS	688

The Upper Midwest and New England consistently lead the nation, while the Deep South consistently trails.

What These Differences Mean for Borrowers

Living in a low-score state doesn’t determine your personal score — but it does affect the lenders operating in your market. States with lower average scores tend to have:

Higher prevalence of subprime auto dealers and payday lenders
Fewer credit union options
Higher rates on local personal loans

Your individual score is what matters for your borrowing costs. A 750-score borrower in Mississippi gets the same mortgage rate as a 750-score borrower in Minnesota.

How to Improve Your Score Regardless of State

The What Is a Good Credit Score guide covers score ranges. The fastest improvements come from:

Paying down credit card balances (raises score in 30–60 days)
Disputing errors — see How to Dispute a Credit Report Error
Never missing a payment going forward
Requesting credit limit increases from existing issuers

Written by WealthVieu

WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.

The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy