Where you live can play a significant role in your finances. With cost of living, inflation, housing and food costs all somewhat dependent on the area you live in, Americans’ personal financial habits can vary drastically by location.
A new report from LendingTree ranked the most and least financially responsible metros based on debt-to-income (DTI) ratios, credit inquiries, maxed-out credit cards, spending on housing costs and low credit utilization rates.
Tied for the top spot were Des Moines, Iowa, and San Jose, California, with low housing costs and debt-to-income ratios.
Why It Matters
U.S. households collectively owe $18.203 trillion in debt in 2025, according to the Motley Fool. While mortgages make up 70 percent of this, your personal finances and debt can play a major role in overall quality of life…