Keeping up with the Joneses no longer requires a neighbor to buy what the other owns. A high credit score reflecting good money management skills is far more aspirational, according to WalletHub.
WalletHub compared the median credit scores of residents in 2,572 U.S. cities to determine whose residents handle credit responsibly, and whose do not.
Here, in ascending order, are the top 10 cities with the highest credit scores for 2019:
8. (tie) Laguna Woods, Calif.
Its expensive to live in Laguna Hills. The cost of living is 21 percent higher than the California average and 67 percent higher than the national average, while housing is 197 percent higher than the national average. Despite those sobering statistics, residents of Laguna Hills handle debt responsibly. Laguna Woods has a median credit score of 776.
8. (tie) Needham, Mass.
Needham has a cost of living index 38 percent higher than the rest of Massachusetts and a median home value 111 percent higher. But with a median household income 97 percent higher than the rest of the state, Needham residents can afford what they charge. In a three-way tie for eighth place, Needham has a median credit score of 776.
8. (tie) Lexington, Mass.
The state income tax in Massachusetts is 129 percent higher than the national average, and the cost of housing in this Boston bedroom community is 248 percent higher than the national average. Lucky for Lexington residents, they earn twice as much as the state and national average. Lexington has a median credit score of 776.
7. Estero, Fla.
With a median household income nearly twice as high as the rest of Florida and 50 percent greater than the national average, Estero residents can afford to pay what they charge. Estero has a median credit score of 780.
6. Los Altos, Calif.
Once an agricultural town, Los Altos is now an affluent commuter town in northern Silicon Valley. You’ll pay a pretty penny to live here: The median home price is over $2 million and the median rent is $2,611 per month. With a median household income of $187,656, however, Los Altos residents can afford to pay their credit card bills. Los Altos has a median credit score of 782.
5. Green Valley, Ariz.
Surrounded by copper mines, the Green Valley retirement community offers its residents a multitude of outdoor activities at a cost of living comparatively lower than the state and national average. That’s why Green Valley residents can afford to pay their credit card bills. Green Valley has a median credit score of 783.
4. Saratoga, Calif.
Named after Saratoga Springs, N.Y., this California suburban bedroom community is home to many Silicon Valley workers who can afford to live here. The median home price is $1.7 million and the median monthly rent is $2,410. The cost of living index is three times the national average. Saratoga has a median credit score of 784.
3. Sun City West, Ariz.
Sun City West is a self-contained and self-governed golf retirement community in Maricopa County for active adults age 55 and older. The community’s amenities include a non-profit tax advocate that lobbies local, county and state government to ensure that residents can afford to pay their credit card and other bills. Sun City West has a median credit score of 789.
2. Sun City Center, Fla.
Sun City Center is an age-restricted, self-contained adult golf cart community with a wide selection of housing options that cost 13 percent higher than the national average. But the state income tax is 100 percent lower than the national average. Sun City Center has a median credit score of 791.
1. The Villages, Fla.
This self-contained development for active adults is one of America’s fastest-growing retirement communities. There is plenty of family fun and socializing available to residents in the community, which has a median home price of $274,000. The Villages has a median credit score of 806.
The full report can be viewed here.
