Santa Clarita, California, ranks sixth among 100 U.S. Cities for credit card ownership, according to a study released March 7, 2026, by WalletHub. The city’s high ranking reflects both significant access to credit and responsible credit management by residents, analysts say.
The WalletHub study, which analyzed the average number of credit cards owned and new accounts opened between 2024 and 2025, found Santa Clarita residents are consistently adding to their credit card portfolios. While the average number of new credit cards opened in Santa Clarita saw a slight decrease of 0.93% to 1.32, overall ownership remains high, placing it among the top cities nationally.
Other Southern California cities share a similar trend. Irvine, Anaheim, and Chula Vista as well received high rankings in the WalletHub study. Chula Vista, for example, ranked second nationally, with residents holding an average of $20,567 in credit card debt per household, totaling $1.8 billion across its 275,000 residents.
Despite the high levels of credit card debt, experts suggest the figures don’t necessarily indicate financial hardship in areas like Santa Clarita. Chip Lupo, a writer at WalletHub, explained that in a city where the median household income is $118,489, higher credit card balances often signify financial flexibility. “It reflects a greater financial flexibility rather than any type of financial distress,” Lupo said. “As long as interest rates are lower, borrowing costs are managed and as long as you’re paying back the debt.”
A separate WalletHub report from March 17, 2025, highlighted by the Los Angeles Times, found Santa Clarita topped the list of 181 U.S. Cities with an average household credit card debt of approximately $22,753, totaling around $1.7 billion for its 228,000 residents. This data reinforces the city’s position as a significant center for credit card usage.
The concentration of high credit card debt in Southern California cities presents a nuanced picture of consumer finance, according to WalletHub’s data. The economic strength of the region, coupled with high household incomes and credit scores, appears to contribute to both increased access to credit and responsible credit management.
