How do Average Credit Scores Vary in Different Parts of the UK?

You may have wondered whether your credit score is better or worse than the UK average, or you may wonder whether average credit scores differ significantly from one part of the country to the next.

Each of the UK’s primary credit agencies has a different scoring system. The average score with one credit agency could be entirely different from that of another.

With Equifax, a credit score of 550 would rank you within the “good” bracket. Over at Experian, the same 500 score would give you a credit rating of “poor,”, while TransUnion brackets a score of 550 as “very poor.”.

Here is a brief overview of how the three primary agencies classify credit scores as of 2021:

Credit score ratings according to Equifax

Credit score ratings, according to Experian

You can check out your Experian credit score for free, though it will cost you £7.99 a month to see your full report. This shows your credit history and financial associations. If you want to see this, you can sign up for a free trial, which lasts for 30 days.

Credit score ratings according to TransUnion

As for the question “do average scores vary in different parts of the UK?” The answer is yes, they do. Depending on where you live, the average consumer is likely to have an entirely different credit score based on where they live.

According to Experian’s credit rating system, the most widely used indicator of creditworthiness, the regions with the highest average credit score are as follows:

1) Isles of Scilly: 881

2) Wokingham: 877

3) Chiltern: 874

4) Elmbridge: 872

5) Hart: 872

6) Waverley: 871

7) St Albans: 871

8) South Cambridgeshire: 867

8) Brentwood: 850

10) West Oxfordshire: 844

At the opposite end of the scale, the locations with the lowest average credit score in the UK are:

1) Kingston-Upon-Hull: 696

2) Blaenau Gwent: 702

3) Blackpool: 709

4) Merthyr Tydfil: 712

5) Middlesbrough: 713

6) Northeast Lincolnshire: 717

7) Knowsley: 722

8) Hartlepool: 724

9) North Ayrshire: 737

10) St. Helens: 744

How to boost your credit score

For anyone concerned about their credit rating, there are several options available for giving things a nudge in the right direction.

None of the following are likely to propel you in the rankings overnight, but you could nonetheless contribute a few additional points and perhaps make a real difference:

• Pay off as many smaller debts as you can, such as credit card balances and overdrafts. A simple yet effective demonstration that you are a responsible borrower that can be trusted
• If you have not already done so, ensure your name appears on the electoral roll. Signing up takes seconds and almost always makes a positive difference to your credit score.
• Avoid late payments and missed payments at all costs, which in almost all instances will inflict further damage on your credit score.
• Before applying for any financial products or credit facilities, make sure you are 100% confident your application will be accepted.

If in doubt, consult with an independent financial adviser or specialist broker to discuss the options available in more detail.