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State + National Credit Score Guide

What Is the Average Credit Score in America?

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

  1. Minnesota: 741
  2. Vermont: 737
  3. Wisconsin: 737
  4. New Hampshire: 735
  5. Washington: 734

Lowest 5 states

  1. Mississippi: 677
  2. Louisiana: 686
  3. Alabama: 689
  4. Georgia: 692
  5. 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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Macy Carson
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.