What Is the Average Credit Score by State

April 13, 2026 | 7 min read

Credit Saint

Written By:

Credit Saint

Ashley Davison

Reviewed By:

Ashley Davison

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Your credit score tells a story — but does it tell the right one?

Here’s how the average credit score varies by state and what it means for your financial future.

Credit scores shape nearly every major financial decision you’ll make — from qualifying for a mortgage to landing a favorable interest rate on a car loan. Most people know their number, but far fewer know how it compares to the national average or to consumers across state lines.

Understanding average credit scores by state gives you a clearer picture of where you stand — and what’s actually possible. Credit Saint has helped more than 250,000 Americans work toward stronger credit since 2007. Our specialists review your report, may challenge what doesn’t belong, and handle every step from there. We’ve got this.

Key Takeaways
  • The national average FICO Score is 715, placing most U.S. consumers in the “Good” range on an 850-point scale (Experian, 2025).
  • Credit scores vary significantly by state, shaped by economic conditions, debt levels, and financial literacy.
  • 1 in 5 consumers have identified errors on their credit reports that could affect their scores (FTC, 2013).
  • Credit Saint reviews your report across all three bureaus and, with your authorization, may challenge inaccurate, misleading, or unverifiable entries that could be suppressing your score.

Here’s how the standard tiers break down:

Score Range Rating What It Typically Means
800–850 Exceptional Best available rates; strong approval odds
740–799 Very Good Above-average terms on most credit products
670–739 Good Near or above the national average; solid standing
580–669 Fair May face higher rates or limited product access
300–579 Poor Likely to encounter difficulty qualifying for credit

The national average of 715 puts most Americans just inside the “Good” tier — but being in that range doesn’t mean your report is error-free. According to the FTC’s 2013 study, 1 in 5 consumers have identified errors on their credit reports that can quietly suppress scores that should be higher. For more on how these tiers affect your borrowing power, see our average credit score by state guide.

Average Credit Score by State

Credit scores are not uniform across the country. Economic conditions, employment rates, cost of living, education levels, and local debt burdens all play a role in shaping a state’s average. The table below reflects average FICO Scores across all 50 states based on Experian’s 2024 data, ranked from highest to lowest.

Rank State Average FICO Score
1 Minnesota 742
2 Wisconsin 738
3 Vermont 737
4 New Hampshire 736
5 Washington 735
6 Massachusetts 734
7 Hawaii 733
8 Montana 733
9 North Dakota 732
10 Colorado 731
11 South Dakota 731
12 Oregon 731
13 Nebraska 730
14 Iowa 730
15 Connecticut 729
16 Utah 728
17 Maine 728
18 Idaho 727
19 Kansas 726
20 Wyoming 725
21 Virginia 725
22 New Jersey 725
23 Rhode Island 724
24 Maryland 723
25 Delaware 722
26 Alaska 722
27 Illinois 721
28 Missouri 721
29 Michigan 720
30 Pennsylvania 719
31 Arizona 718
32 New York 718
33 Ohio 716
34 California 715
35 Indiana 714
36 North Carolina 711
37 Tennessee 708
38 Kentucky 706
39 West Virginia 705
40 Nevada 704
41 Florida 700
42 Georgia 698
43 Texas 697
44 South Carolina 696
45 Alabama 694
46 Louisiana 689
47 New Mexico 688
48 Oklahoma 685
49 Arkansas 684
50 Mississippi 680

Source: Experian, 2024. State averages are based on aggregated FICO Score data. Individual scores vary widely within each state.

States in the Midwest and Northeast consistently rank near the top. Many Southern and Southwest states land toward the bottom. That gap reflects structural differences in local economies, debt levels, and access to financial resources — not just individual behavior.

What Factors Shape a State’s Average Credit Score?

Several forces combine to pull a state’s average up or down. Understanding them helps explain why the same score means something different depending on where you live.

Economic Stability and Employment

States with strong labor markets and higher median incomes tend to produce higher average scores. Consistent employment supports consistent income — and consistent income makes on-time payments more manageable. States where seasonal or unstable employment is common often see more missed payments reflected in lower averages.

Cost of Living and Debt Burden

In high cost-of-living states, residents may carry more debt relative to income, which can increase credit utilization and drag scores down. High concentrations of student loan and medical debt also weigh on state averages, as both categories affect overall debt load and payment history.

Financial Literacy and Access to Resources

Access to financial education makes a measurable difference over time. States with stronger financial literacy programs tend to produce consumers who manage credit more effectively. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) offers free credit education resources available to all consumers.

Credit Report Errors — the Hidden Factor

One factor that rarely gets discussed in state-level comparisons: errors. The FTC’s 2013 study found that 1 in 5 consumers have identifiable errors on at least one of their three credit reports. Those errors can pull a score down regardless of how responsibly a consumer manages their finances. In states with lower averages, a meaningful portion of that gap may reflect unresolved inaccuracies — not just financial behavior.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives consumers the right to dispute inaccurate or unverifiable information, and bureaus are required to investigate within 30 days. Credit Saint reviews your full report across all three bureaus, identifies questionable entries, and — with your authorization — may challenge them through the formal dispute process. You can learn more through our credit repair resource center.

Average Credit Score by Generation

State averages tell part of the story. Age is another major variable. Credit scores tend to rise over time as consumers build longer account histories, reduce debt, and develop consistent payment patterns. Here’s how scores vary by generation, based on Experian’s 2024 data:

Generation Approximate Birth Years Average FICO Score (Est.)
Gen Z 1997–2012 ~680
Millennials 1981–1996 ~690
Gen X 1965–1980 ~709
Baby Boomers 1946–1964 ~745
Silent Generation Before 1946 ~760

Source: Experian, 2024. Generational averages are general estimates based on aggregated consumer credit data and are provided for reference only.

Younger consumers often start with thinner credit files — fewer accounts, shorter history, and less experience managing credit over time. Building strong habits early creates the foundation for meaningful score growth in the years ahead.

How Does Your Score Compare — and What Can You Do About It?

If your score is above your state’s average, that’s a positive signal. It suggests your payment history, utilization, and account management are on solid ground. The next goal is protecting that standing — which means monitoring your report regularly and catching any inaccuracies early.

If your score is below your state’s average, the gap is worth understanding as a starting point. A few specific areas tend to have the most impact:

  • Payment history — The single largest factor in most scoring models. Late payments may remain on a report for up to seven years.
  • Credit utilization — How much of your available credit you’re currently using. Keeping utilization low relative to your limits tends to support higher scores.
  • Errors on your report — Accounts you don’t recognize, incorrect balances, duplicate entries, and outdated negative items can all suppress a score without your knowledge. These are the items Credit Saint reviews and may challenge on your behalf.
  • Length of credit history — Older accounts contribute positively to your score. Closing older accounts can reduce the average age of your credit profile.

You can access your credit reports from all three bureaus at no cost through AnnualCreditReport.com, the federally authorized source. Reviewing all three matters because errors don’t always appear across bureaus equally.

How Credit Saint Works to Strengthen Your Credit Profile

Reviewing your own report is a reasonable first step. But navigating the dispute process across three bureaus — identifying which items may be inaccurate, preparing dispute documentation, following up on responses, and escalating when bureaus don’t act — takes time and persistence most consumers simply don’t have.

That’s where Credit Saint comes in. Credit Saint is BBB accredited, holds a 4.8-star Google rating from more than 15,000 reviews, and has been ranked #1 by Money.com, ConsumerAffairs, and CNBC. We’ve served more than 250,000 Americans since 2007. Over 96.4% of clients see results in the first 90 days, based on paying Credit Saint clients from May 2025 who had one or more items removed. Individual results vary.

Our team works across three service tiers designed to match different situations:

  • Credit Polish — A strong starting point for consumers beginning their credit journey, with bureau disputes and online account access.
  • Credit Remodel — Adds creditor interventions and inquiry challenges for consumers dealing with moderate complexity.
  • Clean Slate — Our most comprehensive option, built for consumers facing a higher volume of reportable items.

You review the findings. You authorize every challenge. Our specialists handle every step — from initial review through follow-up disputes — and we back our work with a 90-day money-back guarantee.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The national average FICO Score is 715, placing most American consumers in the “Good” range on a 300–850 scale (Experian, 2024). While this is a healthy baseline, it doesn’t reflect the quality of information on an individual’s report. According to the FTC’s 2013 study, 1 in 5 consumers have identifiable errors on their credit reports — errors that can pull a score below where it should be.

State averages are shaped by a combination of factors: employment stability, median income, cost of living, average debt load, and access to financial education. States with stronger economies and lower debt burdens tend to produce higher averages. Credit report errors are also a hidden variable in every state — addressing inaccuracies may help consumers improve their standing regardless of where they live.

You’re entitled to a free credit report from each of the three major bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — through AnnualCreditReport.com, the federally authorized source. Reviewing all three is worth doing, since errors don’t always appear on every report. Credit Saint also offers a free consultation — our specialists review your report and identify anything that may be worth challenging.

A below-average score is a starting point, not a ceiling. The most impactful areas to focus on are payment history, credit utilization, and the accuracy of your report. The FCRA gives consumers the right to dispute inaccurate or unverifiable information, and credit bureaus are required to investigate within 30 days. Credit Saint may review your report, challenge questionable items, and pursue corrections across all three bureaus — we handle every step of the process.

Start Working on Your Credit Today

Your credit score is a moving target. Economic shifts, unexpected expenses, and reporting errors you had nothing to do with can all push it in the wrong direction. The longer those issues go unaddressed, the more they may cost — in higher rates, declined applications, and missed financial opportunities.

Credit Saint has worked through this process with more than 250,000 Americans since 2007. Our specialists review your report, may challenge what shouldn’t be there, and handle every step from here. You authorize. We act.

Ashley Davison

Reviewed By:

Ashley Davison

Editor

Ashley is currently the Chief Compliance Officer for Credit Saint, previously the Chief Operating Officer. Ashley got into the Financial world by working as a Logistics Coordinator at Ernst & Young. Coming from a previous career in education, she is eager to teach the world everything she knows and learn everything that she doesn’t! Ashley is a FICO® certified professional, a Board Certified Credit Consultant, a Certified Credit Score Consultant with the Credit Consultants Association of America, UDAAP certified, and holds a Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Compliance Certificate.