U.S. consumers’ average credit scores stabilized in recent months, as credit card debt fell by 7% through the first 10 months of the year, according to data Credit Karma released Wednesday.
Consumers’ average U.S. credit score in October held steady at 666, down three points from 669 in January, according to the San Francisco-based company whose website tracks credit scores and household debt. The average credit score in October 2009 was 671.
Average credit card debt in October was $7,382, down 1.9% compared with $7,526 in September. Average card debt in October was down 2.5% compared with $7,573 a year earlier.
Consumers in certain states are paying off their credit card debt faster than the average. In Wisconsin, consumers’ average credit card debt declined by 28% since January. In Hawaii and Idaho, the average card debt declined 13%, and in Nevada and Oregon consumers paid down card debt by 12% and 11% respectively.
“As consumers continue to pay down their debt, we’re beginning to see credit scores stabilize nationwide,” Ken Lin, CreditKarma.com CEO, said in a statement.
California, Massachusetts and New Jersey had the highest credit scores nationally, averaging 684. Arkansas had the lowest average credit score nationally at 636.
Louisiana consumers experienced the biggest average credit-score shift this year, rising eight points since January to 647 from 639.
