SOUTHLAND – (INT) – Californians don’t do well in their financial literacy. In fact, the state ranks near the bottom in their consumer habits and their ability to set a budget.

WalletHub examined each state using 17 key metrics ranging from a high school-level financial literacy grade to the share of adults with rainy-day funds. California ranked 43rd.

Minnesota, Colorado and Nebraska were the best states for financial literacy. South Dakota, Oklahoma and Arkansas were the worst.

Analysts concluded the consequences for consumers are lower credit scores, which prevents them from getting credit with good interest rates and lowers the amount of wealth they build during their lifetimes.

Story Date: April 4, 2025