NEW JERSEY — New Jersey ranks as the ninth most financially literate state in the nation, according to a new report released by WalletHub during National Financial Literacy Month.
The study evaluated all 50 states and the District of Columbia using 17 metrics, including financial education programs and consumer behaviors such as savings habits, credit use and spending patterns.
New Jersey earned an overall ranking of ninth, reflecting strong performance in some key areas, including a second-place ranking for the percentage of adults with rainy-day funds.
The state ranked 17th in WalletHub’s WalletLiteracy Survey score and 18th in high school financial literacy education. It placed 12th for the percentage of adults paying only the minimum on credit cards.
However, the report also highlighted areas for improvement. New Jersey ranked 26th for the share of adults who spend more than they earn and 29th for the percentage of adults who compare credit cards before applying.
WalletHub said the rankings are intended to highlight how well residents manage their finances and how effectively states support financial education.
The report comes as April is recognized as National Financial Literacy Month and as concerns grow over rising consumer debt, with nearly two in five Americans expected to carry more credit card debt by the end of 2026, according to survey data cited in the study.
The full report is available on WalletHub’s website.
