Credit scores in these cities saw the biggest jump last year

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Some U.S. cities are making faster strides than others when it comes to financial health—especially when measured by credit score improvements.

According to new data from WalletHub, credit scores rose most sharply in St. Louis, MO, between Q1 2024 and Q1 2025. Des Moines, IA, and Winston-Salem, NC, also made significant gains. The annual analysis ranked 100 of the largest U.S. cities based on how much average credit scores increased year-over-year.

Experts say the improvements are tied to key habits like on-time payments, low credit utilization, and reduced personal debt. These changes not only boost creditworthiness but also open the door to better loan terms, lower interest rates, and even easier access to rental housing.

Which cities saw the biggest credit score increases?

By the numbers:

WalletHub compared credit scores from Q1 2024 to Q1 2025. These ten cities had the largest percentage increases:

1. St. Louis, MO – 3.49% increase (average score: 652)
2. Des Moines, IA – 3.19% increase (average score: 647)
3. Winston-Salem, NC – 2.28% increase (average score: 628)
4. Anchorage, AK – 2.09% increase (average score: 636)
5. San Bernardino, CA – 1.89% increase (average score: 592)
6. Oklahoma City, OK – 1.84% increase (average score: 608)
7. Stockton, CA – 1.82% increase (average score: 615)
8. Kansas City, MO – 1.82% increase (average score: 617)
9. Wichita, KS – 1.79% increase (average score: 624)
10. Anaheim, CA – 1.75% increase (average score: 641)

These cities showed the strongest year-over-year gains in average credit scores, with several jumping from the bad to fair credit range—an important shift in financial access.

What we know:

Cities with the biggest gains tended to have lower debt delinquency rates and smaller credit card balances.

St. Louis now ranks 20th overall in average credit score after previously sitting much lower.

WalletHub’s methodology compared Q1 2024 and Q1 2025 scores across 100 cities using proprietary financial data.

What we don’t know:

WalletHub did not publish detailed breakdowns by age, income, or racial group, which could provide more insight into who is driving the change.

It’s unclear how many residents in each city are responsible for the score shifts versus a smaller share pulling the average.

The data does not reflect whether these trends will continue into 2026.

Why credit scores are rising in these cities

The backstory:

St. Louis’ improvement is linked to more residents making on-time payments and fewer people being in financial distress. The city also has a relatively low debt delinquency rate.

In Des Moines, residents are carrying some of the lowest credit card debt in the country, contributing to score gains. The city also boasts one of the lowest delinquency rates in the U.S.

Winston-Salem residents showed similar trends, with decreased personal loan debt and manageable credit card balances helping lift the city’s average score.

What they’re saying:

“Having a credit card and making on-time payments every month is the easiest way to build a good credit score,” said John Kiernan, WalletHub Editor.

“You should also aim to use less than 30% of your credit limit at a time, and pay off your entire balance each month if you’re able to.”

Kiernan also noted:

“It’s worth noting that you can build credit just by having a credit card open, even if you don’t make purchases on it, though actively using your card helps your score increase more quickly.”

How to improve your credit score

What you can do:

Small, consistent steps can lead to meaningful improvements over time—whether you’re rebuilding your credit or just trying to level up your financial health.

• Pay on time: Late payments are one of the biggest score-killers. Even paying the minimum helps maintain credit health.
• Use less than 30% of your credit limit: Lower utilization is better, and 1–10% usage yields the best results.
• Avoid frequent new credit applications: Each hard inquiry can cause a temporary dip in your score.
• Review your credit reports: Look for errors and dispute any inaccuracies that could be dragging your score down.
• Use monitoring tools: Free services like WalletHub offer ongoing credit tracking and personalized tips.