The 10 US cities where Americans have the best credit

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Your credit score says a lot about you.

A high score means you probably pay your bills on time and you don't max out your credit cards.

The average credit score of the people who live in a community also can say a lot, like whether jobs are plentiful or take-home pay is high.

It's difficult to be precise about why some cities have better average credit scores than others, but "there are cultural issues, there are economic issues that tend to weigh in with scores," says Rod Griffin, the director of public education for Experian.

The credit bureau recently calculated the average credit score for more than 200 metropolitan areas in the United States. The nationwide average VantageScore credit score is 673.

Here are the 10 cities with the highest credit scores.

10. Madison, Wisconsin

Average credit score: 702

Average debt: $35,815

Average credit card balance: $4,545

Credit utilization: 26%

6. (TIE) Fargo, North Dakota

Average credit score: 703

Average debt: $37,966

Average credit card balance: $4,661

Credit utilization: 25%

6. (TIE) LaCrosse, Wisconsin

Average credit score: 703

Average debt: $32,895

Average credit card balance: $4,223

Credit utilization: 25%