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USA Today
12-07-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Way to go, Des Moines! The 10 most 'financially responsible' cities across America
A group of midwestern cities, including Des Moines, Iowa, Madison, Wisconsin, and Minneapolis, rank among the most 'financially responsible' in the nation, according to a new report. Minneapolis has a strikingly low share of consumers with maxed-out credit cards. Madisonians use an admirably low quotient of their available credit. Des Moines residents don't spend too much of their income on housing. LendingTree, the personal finance site, ranked the 100 largest metropolitan areas on five metrics of financial health, focusing on the ideal of living within one's means. The July 7 report draws from Federal Reserve and Census data, and from a sample of 260,000 anonymized LendingTree users. Here are the 10 most 'financially responsible' cities According to LendingTree, these are the 10 most financially responsible cities in America: Several other midwestern cities rank in LendingTree's top 20 for financial responsibility, including Kansas City, Missouri (13), Cincinnati (14), Columbus, Ohio (18) and St. Louis (20). Other financially healthy metros include Knoxville, Tennessee (12th on the list), in the South, and Rochester, New York (16), in the Northeast. According to LendingTree analysts, the cities near the top of the ranking tend to have solid household incomes and reasonable living costs. Those qualities go hand in hand with good credit. 'So much of this whole report gets down to income and credit scores,' said Matt Schulz, chief consumer finance analyst at LendingTree. 'While income doesn't go into your ability to get a credit card, for example, it plays a major role in setting how much of a credit limit you get once you do get the card.' Five cities where consumers live within their means Here are snapshots of the top 5 metros for financial health: If the most 'financially responsible' metros have anything in common, apart from geography, it might be cost of living. Some of the nation's most notoriously costly cities, including New York, Boston, San Francisco and Seattle, sit further down the list. (San Jose is a notable exception.) 'There's not much substitute for having a low cost of living,' Schulz said. 'It impacts everything you do financially.' Five ways to improve your credit score Three of the five metrics in the LendingTree analysis concern credit. Maxed-out cards and excessive credit inquiries tend to hurt a consumer's credit score. A lower credit score can mean higher interest rates on loans and lower limits on credit cards. Here, then, are five expert tips for building a better credit score. Pay bills on time The biggest component of a FICO credit score, 35%, is 'payment history.' It means, quite simply, paying your bills on time. That means 'not missing any of your payments, especially more than 30 days,' said Sara Rathner, credit cards expert at NerdWallet, speaking to USA TODAY in June. 'All of the hard work you've been doing can be undone with one missed payment.' Credit cards, mortgages, rent, utilities: Just about anything can show up on a credit report as delinquent, if the creditor takes the time to report it. Try to make payments on time, Rathner said. If you miss a payment, correct the oversight quickly. Don't use too much credit The second-largest factor in a credit report, accounting for 30%, is 'amounts owed.' That metric refers to credit utilization: how much of your available credit you actually use. The goal is to use as little of your available credit as possible. Having a higher credit limit – and more credit cards − can help keep your utilization rate low, provided you use credit carefully. Pay off your cards every month, if you can, experts say. Try not to use too much of your available credit. 'I think the best practice here is to try to keep your utilization under 30%,' said Joel O'Leary, personal finance writer at Motley Fool Money, speaking to USA TODAY in June. 'But I think the sweet spot is 10%, or even less than 10%.' Build a credit history Length of credit history accounts for 15% of a credit score. This metric is all about time: How long your credit accounts have been open, their average age, and how often you use them. It's smart to keep old, zero-balance credit card accounts open, experts say, especially if they carry no annual fee. Keeping them active will boost your available credit, while also documenting your credit history. Monitor your credit report Nearly half of all credit reports may contain errors, according to research by the consumer groups Consumer Reports and WorkMoney. Some errors can lower your credit score. Consumers should review their credit reports at least once a year, experts say. You can access your reports at no cost on the website If you find an error, report it to the credit bureau. If the error is on a specific account, you can also contact the company directly. Beware of 'hard' credit inquiries Any time you apply for new credit and the creditor pulls your file, it can affect your credit score. These are called 'hard inquiries,' and they can influence your score for 12 months, according to Experian. You'll typically incur a hard inquiry if you apply for a credit card, auto loan or mortgage, among other scenarios. The takeaway: Be careful about triggering too many credit inquiries.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
10 of the Happiest Places to Live in America, Ranked
A recent study drew upon the various findings of positive-psychology research in order to determine which among more than 180 of the largest U.S. cities is home to the happiest people in America. They examined each city based on 29 key indicators of happiness, ranging from the depression rate to the income-growth rate to average leisure time spent per day. These places promise an above-average quality of life that might just spark a little extra joy in your day-to-day! Fremont has officially been named the happiest city to live in. Residents report high life satisfaction, low depression rates, and longer-than-average lifespans. The city's low separation and divorce rates definitely reflect relationship goals. If your checklist for a happy place includes a strong economy, healthy population, safe neighborhoods, lots of parks, and luxury apartments—Fremont is a perfect choice that might bring more contentment to your life. When families can meet their needs, happiness follows—so it's no surprise Overland Park ranks as the second happiest place to live. The city enjoys the lowest poverty rate in the nation, a low unemployment rate, high emotional and physical well-being scores, and a strong sense of community. Living in Overland Park is both enjoyable and affordable, with the cost of living 8% below the national average. From scenic parks to thriving businesses, this city offers plenty of opportunities to thrive and enjoy life. Living in the Capital of Silicon Valley means enjoying a long life expectancy, strong family ties, and low rates of depression. San Jose offers excellent schools, a thriving job market, and a great work-life balance. Whether biking through nature reserves or exploring the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains, outdoor adventures are always nearby. San Jose's diverse community brings a rich blend of American and international cuisine. Just be prepared for the high cost of living and some serious traffic jams. Madison ranked the fourth happiest place. It's seventh in emotional and physical well-being and second in getting enough sleep. No wonder 64% of Madisonians say they're in excellent or very good health! What's their secret? Madison has the most playgrounds per 10,000 residents among the country's largest cities, and 95% of people live within a 10-minute walk to a park. Sounds like a pretty sweet place to enjoy a Babcock ice cream cone! You might think Irvine is only for the ultra-rich—and you're not alone. With a cost of living 150% above the national average, it's one of the priciest cities in the U.S. But it's also ranked as one of the happiest places to live for good reason. Irvine has some of the lowest divorce rates, and residents score high in emotional and physical well-being. Strong social connections, high job satisfaction, and a positive mental outlook define life here. Besides, who wouldn't enjoy the Irvine Global Village Festival, celebrating the city's vibrant diversity? If you want a place close to everything you think you and your family will need—job opportunities, excellent schools, top-notch hospitals, lots of shopping centers and restaurants, and beaches—you get your money's worth here in Honolulu. The city ranks first in the community and environment category, with locals embracing the spirit of aloha. The neighborhoods are tight-knit, and there's a strong focus on caring for both people and the planet. With beautiful scenery, endless sunshine, and an active outdoor lifestyle, it's clear why the city has one of the lowest depression rates in the country. Yep, three California cities are already on the list, and San Francisco will not be left out. While you might hear that money can't buy happiness, it sure helps you enjoy some of the best things in life in one of the most expensive cities in the country. You can delight in some of the most amazing restaurants, coffee shops, theaters, and urban parks. You can also access world-class universities, fitness centers, and advanced medical facilities. The cost of living is high, but the perks are worth it. The city even ranks high in emotional and physical well-being, along with solid income and employment opportunities. Read next: The 10 Most Miserable States to Live in America, According to a New Study Although Pearl City was listed as one of the worst cities for singles, it doesn't mean it's not qualified to be one of the happiest cities to live in. It actually boasts one of the lowest separation and divorce rates in the country. Named after the pearls once found in Pearl Harbor, Pearl City offers a great location, diverse people, and lots of shopping and dining options. Plus, it's home to Pearlridge Center, Hawaii's largest indoor mall, where you can enjoy local Hawaiian food and more. Single or not, I bet you can still find ways to put a smile on your face here! Read more: 10 of the Best U.S. States To Live In, According to a New Study Columbia is perfectly located between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, making it a fantastic spot for anyone seeking a well-rounded life. You'll find lush parks, endless recreational options, and a vibrant arts scene all in one place. The diverse and welcoming community ensures access to prestigious schools and plenty of job opportunities in fields like cybersecurity, healthcare, and public administration. Read more: 12 of the Best and Worst Places To Retire in the U.S., According to a New Study Whether you're single, starting a family, or enjoying retirement, Scottsdale is a hidden gem worth considering. Many Americans call it a happy city for good reason—beautiful weather year-round, friendly neighborhoods, and plenty of fun attractions. Families will love the A-rated schools and overall community vibe, making it an ideal spot to settle down. The Valley Metro Transit offers great bus and light rail options, but you can also stroll through this walkable city and soak it all in.
