(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - Montana residents are the best at managing money and Marylanders are the worst ranking at #50, according to a new CreditCards.com analysis. Alaska residents are close behind at #48 following Washington, D.C. residents at #49.

The study compared each state's average credit score with its median income. "Conventional wisdom is that people with more money have better credit scores, but we found this is not always the case," said Matt Schulz, CreditCards.com's senior industry analyst.

In Montana, for instance, the average credit score is 32 points higher than one would expect based upon the state's median income (which is 13% below the national median).

Best States for Money Management

1. Montana
2. South Dakota
3. North Dakota
4. Maine
5. Vermont

Maryland, the worst state at managing money, is a good example of why a high income doesn't necessarily translate into financial success. The Old Line State has the second-highest median income in the U.S. (33% above the national median) but only the 31st-best credit score. Maryland's average credit score is 37 points lower than its income suggests it should be.

Worst States for Money Management

47. Texas
48. Virginia
49. Alaska
50. Washington, D.C.
51. Maryland

"The main takeaway is that good financial habits like paying your bills on time and keeping your debts low are what build a solid credit score, not how much money you earn," Schulz added.

Note:

Credit score data courtesy of Experian. Median income data courtesy of the United States Census Bureau.

Edited by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News:

CreditCards.com
CreditCards.com

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