In a country obsessed with dual incomes, millions of families are still making it work with just one. But what does that mean for their financial stability—and their credit?
Here’s what the latest data from the U.S. Census, BLS (Bureau of Labor and Statistics), FICO, and VantageScore reveals.
📊 Single-Income Households: More Common Than You Think
25–30% of married-couple families live on a single income — that’s about 15 to 18 million households.
38 million Americans live alone, usually on one income (unless they’re side-hustling or getting support).
5 million stay-at-home parents rely on a full-time working spouse.
Among married couples earning under $100K, 7–8 million are single-income households.
· 📊 Single-Income Households: More Common Than You’d Expect
· Living on one income isn’t rare—it’s a reality for a significant portion of households across the country.
· Many married couples rely on a single earner, whether by choice or necessity. Plenty of individuals live alone and support themselves on one paycheck. And a large number of stay-at-home parents depend on their partner’s income to keep the household running.
· Why live on one income?
For some, it’s a deliberate lifestyle decision—prioritizing time with family, homeschooling, or a slower pace of life. For others, it’s driven by practical challenges: the high cost of childcare, health issues, limited job access, or the need for one partner to return to school or provide full-time caregiving.
· In a world that often assumes two incomes are required to survive, millions are proving otherwise—navigating life, budgets, and credit scores on just one.
💰 U.S. Household Income Stats (2022–2023)
Median household income: $74,580
Mean (average) income: $106,000 (inflated by top earners)
Most common income range (mode): $50K–$74,999
Median worker income: ~$47,000
Median family income: ~$96,000 Household income in the U.S. varies widely depending on how it's measured.
The median income—what a typical household earns—falls somewhere in the middle of the income spectrum. The average (or mean) income tends to be much higher, often skewed by a smaller group of very high earners. The most common income range tends to land in the moderate bracket, where a large portion of households cluster.
Individual workers typically earn less than full households, while family incomes—which often combine multiple earners—tend to be higher.
These numbers reflect both the diversity and the inequality present in the broader economic landscape.
💳 Credit Scores: How Income and Age Shape Your Score
National Averages (2024–2025):
FICO® Score: 715–717
VantageScore: 701–705
Most Americans fall into the “Good” range (670–739)
By Income Bracket:
Low Income: 658
Middle Income: 735
High Income: 774
💡 Higher income = higher credit score. Surprise? Not really.
By Age:
18–29: 680
30–39: 691
60+: 752
🧠 Credit scores tend to grow with age—and with consistent payment history.
By Generation (VantageScore):
Gen Z: 667
Millennials: 678
Gen X: 700
Boomers: 742
Silent Gen: 753
💳 Credit Scores: Influenced by Income and Age
Credit scores in the U.S. typically land in the “Good” range for most consumers, though where you fall often depends on your income and your age.
Income matters.
Higher earners tend to have higher credit scores. This isn’t surprising—more income often means more stability, fewer missed payments, and lower credit utilization.
Age plays a role too.
Credit scores tend to improve over time. As people get older, they usually build longer credit histories and develop stronger financial habits. That consistency leads to higher scores.
Across generations, younger adults often start with lower scores, while older generations—thanks to decades of experience—tend to score higher.
Bottom line: Your income and your age can strongly influence your credit health, but positive habits—like paying on time and keeping balances low—are what truly move the needle.
🗺️ Where Credit Scores Soar—or Struggle
Top States for FICO Scores (Early 2025):
Minnesota – 742
Wisconsin – 738
Vermont – 737
New Hampshire – 736
Bottom States:
Mississippi – 680
Louisiana – 690
Alabama – 692
Georgia/Texas – 695
🗺️ Where Credit Scores Soar—or Struggle
Credit scores aren’t just shaped by personal habits—they often reflect broader regional trends.
Some states consistently report higher average credit scores, especially in parts of the Midwest and Northeast. These areas tend to have higher incomes, lower levels of financial distress, and stronger access to financial education.
Other states, particularly in the South and parts of the West, show lower average scores. These regions often face higher rates of economic hardship, such as job instability, medical debt, or bankruptcy filings.
While credit scores vary by individual, the state you live in can reflect underlying economic realities that influence how people manage debt, credit, and financial opportunity.
🧠 Final Thought
Even in states and income brackets with lower averages, most Americans still land in the “Good” credit zone. But the gap between “good” and “great” often comes down to long-term habits, income stability, and access to financial education.
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