Its official nickname is The North Star State and it is frequently referred to as The Land of 10,000 Lakes, but a new data study from WalletHub could result in a new moniker for Minnesota: The Credit Score State.
In a number crunch of the average credit scores of residents in each of the 50 states as of October, based on TransUnion data, Minnesota came out with the highest average credit score at 725.
“It’s not very surprising that Minnesotans have the highest average credit score at 725, considering the state’s stable economy, good job market, and relatively low household debt,” said Cassandra Happe, WalletHub analyst. “New Hampshire came in a close second with an average credit score of 722, while Vermont had the third-highest average score at 721.”
WalletHub noted that the average credit score in the U.S. is 696 using the VantageScore model, which puts the average American just below the bottom of the good credit range (700). In its new study, 36 states had average credit scores of 696 and higher – the lowest score was Mississippi’s 672.
“It is encouraging to see these positive credit scores, despite the challenges that many consumers are facing with the current economy and inflation,” added Happe. “These high scores are a sign that even though many Americans are struggling with financial obstacles, they are still prioritizing their debts.”