Seattle Tops List for Best Financial Management Skills in US

Personal finance website WalletHub ranks Seattle residents first in the nation for overall financial capabilities.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A new study by personal finance website WalletHub has found that Seattle residents have the best financial management skills of any major U.S. city. The report analyzed the financial situation of adults in over 180 cities across the country, looking at factors like credit scores, debt levels, savings rates, and the ability to meet monthly expenses.

Why it matters

This ranking highlights Seattle's reputation as a financially savvy city, with residents demonstrating strong money management skills compared to other major metropolitan areas. The findings could have implications for the local economy, consumer spending, and the overall financial health of Seattle's population.

The details

The WalletHub study assessed residents' overall financial management capabilities using a variety of indicators, including credit scores, debt levels, savings rates, and the ability to cover monthly expenses. Seattle topped the list, outperforming other major cities in the key metrics analyzed.

  • The WalletHub study was published on February 13, 2026.

The players

WalletHub

A personal finance website that publishes research and analysis on consumer financial topics.

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The takeaway

The findings from the WalletHub study suggest that Seattle residents have a strong grasp on personal finance, which could contribute to the city's overall economic stability and growth. This ranking may inspire other cities to examine their own financial literacy efforts and implement programs to help improve residents' money management skills.