All 50 states ranked by average FICO score — with year-over-year changes, score distributions, and what drives the gap between the best and worst states.
Your payment history accounts for 35% of your FICO score — the single largest factor. Setting up autopay for at least the minimum payment eliminates the risk of a missed payment tanking your score.
The national average FICO credit score reached 714 in 2026 — the 10th consecutive year of improvement. But the gap between the highest and lowest states is 61 points: Minnesota averages 742 while Mississippi averages 681. That gap translates directly into loan approvals, interest rates, and financial opportunity. This page ranks all 50 states by average credit score and explains what drives the differences.
Average FICO 8 score. Source: Experian State of Credit 2026 report.
| Rank | State | Avg. FICO Score | Score Range | YoY Change | % with 700+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | 742 | Very Good | +1 | 72% |
| 2 | Vermont | 738 | Very Good | +2 | 70% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 736 | Very Good | +1 | 69% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 731 | Very Good | +2 | 67% |
| 5 | South Dakota | 726 | Very Good | +1 | 65% |
| 6 | Washington | 726 | Very Good | +2 | 65% |
| 7 | Connecticut | 728 | Very Good | +1 | 66% |
| 8 | Utah | 729 | Very Good | +2 | 66% |
| 9 | North Dakota | 730 | Very Good | +1 | 67% |
| 10 | Wisconsin | 732 | Very Good | +2 | 68% |
| 11 | Nebraska | 724 | Very Good | +1 | 64% |
| 12 | Iowa | 736 | Very Good | +2 | 69% |
| 13 | Colorado | 724 | Very Good | +2 | 64% |
| 14 | Maine | 724 | Very Good | +1 | 64% |
| 15 | Oregon | 718 | Good | +2 | 61% |
| 16 | Hawaii | 719 | Good | +1 | 61% |
| 17 | Idaho | 718 | Good | +2 | 61% |
| 18 | Montana | 720 | Good | +1 | 62% |
| 19 | Wyoming | 718 | Good | +1 | 61% |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 718 | Good | +2 | 61% |
| 21 | Virginia | 718 | Good | +2 | 61% |
| 22 | Maryland | 716 | Good | +2 | 60% |
| 23 | California | 716 | Good | +1 | 60% |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | 715 | Good | +2 | 60% |
| 25 | Alaska | 714 | Good | +1 | 59% |
| 26 | New York | 711 | Good | +2 | 58% |
| 27 | Illinois | 712 | Good | +1 | 58% |
| 28 | Delaware | 712 | Good | +2 | 58% |
| 29 | Kansas | 712 | Good | +1 | 58% |
| 30 | Michigan | 709 | Good | +2 | 57% |
| 31 | Missouri | 708 | Good | +1 | 56% |
| 32 | Arizona | 704 | Good | +2 | 55% |
| 33 | North Carolina | 706 | Good | +2 | 56% |
| 34 | Indiana | 706 | Good | +1 | 56% |
| 35 | Florida | 700 | Good | +2 | 54% |
| 36 | Tennessee | 700 | Good | +2 | 54% |
| 37 | Ohio | 710 | Good | +1 | 57% |
| 38 | Texas | 697 | Fair | +3 | 52% |
| 39 | Nevada | 698 | Fair | +2 | 52% |
| 40 | Kentucky | 698 | Fair | +2 | 52% |
| 41 | Oklahoma | 697 | Fair | +2 | 52% |
| 42 | Georgia | 694 | Fair | +3 | 51% |
| 43 | South Carolina | 697 | Fair | +2 | 52% |
| 44 | Arkansas | 694 | Fair | +2 | 51% |
| 45 | New Mexico | 690 | Fair | +3 | 49% |
| 46 | West Virginia | 689 | Fair | +2 | 49% |
| 47 | Alabama | 692 | Fair | +3 | 50% |
| 48 | Louisiana | 685 | Fair | +3 | 47% |
| 49 | Mississippi | 681 | Fair | +3 | 46% |
| National Average | 714 | Good | +2 | 58% | |
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Get the Credit Repair Action Kit — $17 →The 61-point gap between Minnesota (742) and Mississippi (681) is not random. Several structural factors explain why some states consistently outperform others:
Income and poverty rates are the strongest predictor of state-level credit scores. States with higher median household incomes have residents who can more easily make on-time payments — the single most important factor in FICO scoring (35% of your score). Minnesota's median household income of $84,000 compares to Mississippi's $48,000, and this gap shows up directly in payment history rates.
Medical debt is a major driver of low scores in Southern states. Despite CFPB rule changes that removed medical debt under $500 from credit reports, larger medical collections still appear. States with lower rates of health insurance coverage — including Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama — have higher rates of medical debt in collections, which directly suppresses average scores.
Credit utilization patterns also vary significantly. Midwestern states tend to have lower average credit card utilization ratios despite having similar or higher average balances, because residents also tend to have higher credit limits. A $5,500 balance on a $30,000 credit limit (18% utilization) scores much better than the same balance on a $10,000 limit (55% utilization).
WiseIQ's editorial team researches and fact-checks all content using primary sources. Our recommendations are based on independent analysis and are not influenced by advertiser relationships.
Last reviewed: April 2026 | How we rank products
The average credit score in the United States is 717 (FICO Score 8), according to Experian's 2025 State of Credit report. This places the average American in the "Good" credit tier (670–739). Average scores have risen steadily over the past decade, up from 686 in 2015, driven by increased consumer awareness and the removal of medical debt under $500 from credit reports.
A credit score of 670 or above is generally considered good by FICO standards. Scores from 670–739 are "Good," 740–799 are "Very Good," and 800+ are "Exceptional." The national average of 717 falls in the Good range, meaning most Americans qualify for standard loan products but may not receive the best available interest rates.