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State + National Credit Score Guide

What Is the Average Credit Score in America?

Q: Should I compare myself to my state or the national average?

Use both for context, but your own report, balances, and payment history matter more.

The national number gives you the middle of the road. State data shows the map. Your own report decides the rate, limit, approval, or denial.

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Educational only. No approval or score increase is guaranteed.

America’s average score is good. But state-by-state, the gap is real.

National FICO714Spring 2026

State range677–7412025 FICO data

Editorial note: AnyCreditWelcome.com may receive compensation from some partners. This article is educational only. We are not a lender, credit repair company, law firm, or financial advisor. No card, loan, approval, rate, or score improvement is guaranteed.

Quick Answer

The average credit score in America is in the low 700s, depending on the scoring model and source. FICO reported the national average FICO Score fell to 714 in Spring 2026. Experian reported the average FICO Score was 713 in 2025. VantageScore reported the average VantageScore 4.0 was 700 in December 2025.

State averages vary a lot. In Experian’s 2025 state data, Minnesota had the highest average FICO Score at 741. Mississippi had the lowest at 677. That is a 64-point spread between the top and bottom state.

Start Here: Compare Without Panicking

Most people do not search this because they want trivia. They want to know whether their score is normal, whether their state matters, and what to do before credit gets more expensive.

National average

Use it to see whether you are near the middle.

State average

Use it for local context, not shame.

Your report

This is what lenders actually review.

What You’ll Learn

National average credit score Average credit score by state Highest and lowest states What the state gap means What to do if you are below average Common questions

National Average Credit Score in America

The national average is a useful benchmark. It is not a promise of approval.

Source / model	Recent average	What it tells you
FICO national average	714 in Spring 2026	Still good, but slipping under credit pressure.
Experian FICO average	713 in 2025	Down two points from 2024.
VantageScore 4.0	700 in December 2025	Shows similar consumer-credit pressure.

Plain-English takeaway: Around 700 to 714 is close to average. But lenders still look at your payments, balances, income, credit age, recent applications, and the exact product you want.

The Four Numbers That Matter

714FICO national average, Spring 2026

713Experian national average, 2025

741Highest state average: Minnesota

677Lowest state average: Mississippi

Average Credit Score by State: 2025 FICO Data

State averages help you compare your score to your local environment, but they do not define your future.

741Highest state: Minnesota

677Lowest state: Mississippi

64Point gap between highest and lowest

713Experian national average, 2025

What the State Table Shows

Top state

Minnesota leads the 2025 list with a 741 average FICO Score.

Lowest state

Mississippi is lowest at 677, still inside the good range threshold area.

Why it matters

A 64-point spread can affect local comparisons, but your report matters most.

#	State	2025 Avg. FICO	2024 Avg. FICO	Change
1	Alabama	689	692	-3
2	Alaska	720	722	-2
3	Arizona	709	712	-3
4	Arkansas	693	695	-2
5	California	721	722	-1
6	Colorado	729	731	-2
7	Connecticut	724	726	-2
8	Delaware	713	714	-1
9	Florida	704	707	-3
10	Georgia	692	695	-3
11	Hawaii	730	732	-2
12	Idaho	729	730	-1
13	Illinois	720	720	+0
14	Indiana	710	712	-2
15	Iowa	728	730	-2
16	Kansas	720	722	-2
17	Kentucky	704	705	-1
18	Louisiana	686	690	-4
19	Maine	731	731	+0
20	Maryland	714	715	-1
21	Massachusetts	731	732	-1
22	Michigan	717	719	-2
23	Minnesota	741	742	-1
24	Mississippi	677	680	-3
25	Missouri	712	714	-2
26	Montana	730	732	-2
27	Nebraska	728	731	-3
28	Nevada	699	701	-2
29	New Hampshire	735	736	-1
30	New Jersey	722	724	-2
31	New Mexico	701	702	-1
32	New York	719	721	-2
33	North Carolina	707	709	-2
34	North Dakota	730	733	-3
35	Ohio	713	716	-3
36	Oklahoma	693	696	-3
37	Oregon	730	732	-2
38	Pennsylvania	720	722	-2
39	Rhode Island	719	721	-2
40	South Carolina	699	700	-1
41	South Dakota	731	734	-3
42	Tennessee	703	706	-3
43	Texas	692	695	-3
44	Utah	728	730	-2
45	Vermont	737	737	+0
46	Virginia	721	723	-2
47	Washington	734	735	-1
48	West Virginia	699	702	-3
49	Wisconsin	737	738	-1
50	Wyoming	722	725	-3

Note: Washington, D.C. was 711 in 2025, down four points from 715. This table focuses on the 50 states.

Highest and Lowest Average Credit Score States

Some states consistently sit above the national average. Others sit below it. That does not mean every person in a high-score state is doing well or every person in a lower-score state is stuck.

Top 5 states

Minnesota: 741
Vermont: 737
Wisconsin: 737
New Hampshire: 735
Washington: 734

Lowest 5 states

Mississippi: 677
Louisiana: 686
Alabama: 689
Georgia: 692
Texas: 692

What this means at the kitchen table

If you live in Minnesota and your score is 690, you may feel behind your state average. If you live in Mississippi and your score is 690, you are above your state average.

Same score. Different comparison. Same next step: find the reason behind your number.

Why Average Scores Differ by State

Credit scores are not based on where you live. But where you live can affect your budget, and your budget can affect your credit habits.

State pressures that can matter

Housing costs
Local wages
Insurance costs
Medical costs
Debt and delinquency trends

Personal habits that matter more

Paying on time
Keeping card balances low
Checking reports for errors
Limiting unnecessary applications
Keeping healthy old accounts open

What Usually Moves the Score

Payment historyBiggest lever

Credit card utilizationFast pressure point

Recent applicationsTiming matters

Negative marksCan linger

What To Do If You Are Below the National or State Average

You do not need shame. You need a clean first move.

1Check your reports

Look for late payments, errors, wrong balances, and unknown accounts.

2Lower high balances

Cards close to the limit can hurt fast.

3Protect due dates

One new late payment can undo months of progress.

4Apply slower

Do not add hard credit checks while guessing.

Cost of waiting: A weaker score can mean higher APRs, lower limits, bigger deposits, or more denials. The earlier you find the reason, the cheaper the fix may be.

Use the state average as a map marker.

Then focus on your own report. That is the file lenders actually see.

Before You Apply With a Below-Average Score

Do this first so one application does not turn into more denials, more hard credit checks, or a worse offer.

1. Check reports

Look for errors, late payments, and unknown accounts.

2. Check balances

Cards near the limit can pull your score down.

3. Check timing

Wait if a lower balance is about to report.

4. Check the cost

APR, fees, and limits decide if approval is worth it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average credit score in America?

FICO reported the national average FICO Score fell to 714 in Spring 2026. Experian reported the average FICO Score was 713 in 2025. VantageScore reported the average VantageScore 4.0 was 700 in December 2025.

Quick tip: Know which score model you are comparing before worrying about a difference of a few points.

Which state has the highest average credit score?

Minnesota had the highest average FICO Score in Experian’s 2025 state data, at 741.

Real-life context: A high state average does not guarantee approval. Your own payment history and balances still decide the offer.

Which state has the lowest average credit score?

Mississippi had the lowest average FICO Score in Experian’s 2025 state data, at 677.

Is 714 a good credit score?

Yes. Under common FICO ranges, 670 to 739 is considered good credit, so 714 is in the good range.

Example: A 714 score with low balances can look stronger than a 714 score with maxed cards and several recent applications.

Why do credit scores vary by state?

State averages can reflect differences in wages, housing costs, debt levels, local economic pressure, and delinquency trends. Your personal habits still matter more than your state’s average.

Should I compare myself to my state or the national average?

Use both for context, but do not let either one become a verdict. Your own report, balances, and payment history matter more.

Better question: Is your score helping you get better terms, or is it making credit more expensive?

What if my score is below my state average?

Find the reason before applying again. Check for high credit card utilization, late payments, errors, collections, or too many recent applications.

This week: Pull your reports and find the one item most likely holding your score down.

Can I improve my score quickly?

Sometimes, especially if high card utilization or a credit report error is the main issue. Late payments and serious negative marks usually take longer.

Does checking my own credit hurt my score?

No. Checking your own credit is generally a soft inquiry and does not hurt your score.

What matters more than the average?

Payment history, credit card utilization, recent applications, credit report accuracy, and current debt pressure matter more than whether your score is a few points above or below average.

Sources Used

This article was reviewed against current consumer-credit sources including FICO Spring 2026 average score reporting, Experian average credit score and state data, VantageScore December 2025 CreditGauge, myFICO credit score ranges, myFICO score factor guidance, and CFPB FICO score explanation.

Know your score before the next application.

The national and state averages give context. Your own file decides the cost.

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Consumer credit guidance

Written by Macy Carson

Macy Carson writes practical credit-building and credit-card education guides for AnyCreditWelcome.com. Her work focuses on real-life credit decisions, APRs, utilization, payoff planning, approvals, and avoiding expensive credit mistakes.

Macy is not a licensed financial advisor. Her content is educational and designed to help readers ask better questions before choosing credit products.