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States with the best and worst credit scores

·Betsy Ladyzhets

Natee Meepian // Shutterstock
Natee Meepian // Shutterstock
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Whether one is opening a new credit card or buying a house, a big financial decision requires checking one's credit score. This score, rated on a point system from 300 to 850, is compiled by banks, credit card companies, and other lenders by analyzing an individual's history of borrowing money and repaying their debts. But it's not just useful for banks and credit cards; calculating one's credit score can help them discover how trustworthy they appear to lenders, and how well they're meeting their financial goals.

In a recent WalletHub report, experts analyzed U.S. credit score averages across a variety of demographics, including year, age, and income. In this article, Stacker looks at the geographic picture: Where in the country are Americans the best at paying their debts?

Using WalletHub's data, Stacker ranked all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, by the average credit scores of its inhabitants. Most state averages are in the 650 to 700 range, which Experian classifies as "good" or "very good." Many of the best scores are clustered in the Midwest while some of the worst are clustered in the South.

Read on to see which state came out on top, and to find out how you compare to your state's average.

RELATED: Cities with the best and worst credit scores

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1 / 51

#30. Mississippi

Average credit score: 642

2 / 51

#29. Georgia (tie)

Average credit score: 648

3 / 51

#29. Alabama (tie)

Average credit score: 648

4 / 51

#28. Nevada (tie)

Average credit score: 649

6 / 51

#27. South Carolina

Average credit score: 652

7 / 51

#26. Arkansas

Average credit score: 653

8 / 51

#25. Texas

Average credit score: 654

9 / 51

#24. Tennessee (tie)

Average credit score: 657

11 / 51

#24. Kentucky (tie)

Average credit score: 657

12 / 51

#23. Oklahoma

Average credit score: 658

13 / 51

#22. West Virginia (tie)

Average credit score: 659

14 / 51

#22. Indiana (tie)

Average credit score: 659

16 / 51

#21. Delaware (tie)

Average credit score: 661

17 / 51

#20. Maryland (tie)

Average credit score: 664

18 / 51

#20. District of Columbia (tie)

Average credit score: 664

19 / 51

#19. Florida

Average credit score: 665

21 / 51

#18. Arizona (tie)

Average credit score: 666

22 / 51

#17. Michigan

Average credit score: 667

23 / 51

#16. Missouri

Average credit score: 669

24 / 51

#15. Rhode Island (tie)

Average credit score: 670

26 / 51

#15. Alaska (tie)

Average credit score: 670

27 / 51

#14. New Jersey (tie)

Average credit score: 671

28 / 51

#14. Illinois (tie)

Average credit score: 671

29 / 51

#13. Wyoming (tie)

Average credit score: 673

31 / 51

#12. Pennsylvania (tie)

Average credit score: 675

32 / 51

#12. Connecticut (tie)

Average credit score: 675

33 / 51

#11. Virginia

Average credit score: 676

34 / 51

#10. Utah (tie)

Average credit score: 677

36 / 51

#9. Wisconsin (tie)

Average credit score: 680

37 / 51

#9. New York (tie)

Average credit score: 680

38 / 51

#9. Iowa (tie)

Average credit score: 680

39 / 51

#8. Idaho

Average credit score: 681

41 / 51

#6. Washington (tie)

Average credit score: 685

42 / 51

#6. Vermont (tie)

Average credit score: 685

43 / 51

#6. Oregon (tie)

Average credit score: 686

44 / 51

#6. Massachusetts (tie)

Average credit score: 685

46 / 51

#5. Montana (tie)

Average credit score: 686

47 / 51

#4. Nebraska

Average credit score: 688

48 / 51

#3. South Dakota

Average credit score: 695

49 / 51

#2. North Dakota (tie)

Average credit score: 701

51 / 51

#1. Minnesota

Average credit score: 702

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