The UK's highest and lowest credit scorers
People living in Kingston-upon-Thames have the highest average credit scores in the UK, research suggests.
Those with a KT postcode a credit score an average of 586 out of a possible 710 points — 17 points higher than the UK average, according to analysis of over 200,000 credit reports by MoneySuperMarket.
While an individual’s credit score is not only directly influenced by their location alone, there are a number of factors that can affect this.
It’s worth considering how long credit has been held, history of payments, credit usage and even registration on the electoral roll that can have a clearer impact, with these factors driving credit score trends across different parts of the country.
Guildford in Surrey has the second highest average score across the UK at 584, according to the data.
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The average UK score is 569 — an increase of seven points since 2019.
By contrast, those living in parts of the north of England and the midlands have some of the lowest credit scores in the country. Sunderland (552), Doncaster (554) and Wolverhampton (555) are the three lowest scoring postcodes.
Being registered on the electoral roll is a simple way to boost a credit score. The average credit score of a person listed on the electoral roll is 573 — 34 points more than those not listed.
“Although your credit score isn’t directly impacted by your location, our research shows those with a KT postcode are the top credit scorers in the UK,” Sally Francis-Miles, money spokesperson at MoneySuperMarket, said.
“This means that they are some of the most attractive customers to lenders, as their level of risk is typically less than those with lower scores.
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She added: “There are many ways you can boost your score though. The simplest one is ensuring you are registered to vote on the electoral roll.
“It may not sound that significant, but it can have a huge impact — it confirms your name and address, which is essential for lender verification processes.
“Additionally, using free-to-use monitoring services can help you keep an eye on your own credit rating and offer personalised tips on how you can increase your score.”
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