States with the lowest mortgage denial rates
The US state with the lowest mortgage denial rate in 2023 was North Dakota at about 11.5%, with Nebraska (12.1%) and Minnesota (12.2%) just behind. The national denial rate was 19.6%. The full ranking of all 51 states and DC is below.
Source: HMDA Data Browser (FFIEC / CFPB). Data as of June 2026.
All 51 states ranked, lowest denial rate first
| # | State | Denial rate | Purchase | Refinance | Originations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota | 11.5% | 8.6% | 21.8% | 9,647 |
| 2 | Nebraska | 12.1% | 8.4% | 23.1% | 28,741 |
| 3 | Minnesota | 12.2% | 8.2% | 25.7% | 81,211 |
| 4 | South Dakota | 12.6% | 9.3% | 21.3% | 12,402 |
| 5 | Iowa | 12.7% | 9.2% | 22.7% | 50,783 |
| 6 | Alaska | 13.5% | 7.6% | 36.7% | 8,342 |
| 7 | Wisconsin | 13.7% | 9.3% | 21.1% | 91,239 |
| 8 | Missouri | 14.9% | 10.8% | 26.1% | 97,685 |
| 9 | Kansas | 15.1% | 11.0% | 26.3% | 40,352 |
| 10 | Washington | 15.7% | 10.3% | 30.1% | 101,889 |
| 11 | Massachusetts | 15.9% | 9.8% | 28.4% | 80,905 |
| 12 | Oregon | 16.0% | 11.5% | 28.4% | 51,823 |
| 13 | Idaho | 16.5% | 9.9% | 29.9% | 33,653 |
| 14 | Illinois | 16.5% | 11.6% | 32.0% | 158,841 |
| 15 | Montana | 16.6% | 12.1% | 28.0% | 14,125 |
| 16 | Vermont | 16.7% | 12.6% | 25.1% | 7,788 |
| 17 | Colorado | 16.8% | 11.5% | 31.8% | 102,034 |
| 18 | Connecticut | 17.1% | 10.9% | 31.2% | 47,680 |
| 19 | District of Columbia | 17.2% | 10.5% | 37.3% | 7,348 |
| 20 | Indiana | 17.3% | 12.2% | 27.6% | 115,588 |
| 21 | New Hampshire | 17.3% | 11.2% | 28.5% | 19,655 |
| 22 | Ohio | 17.3% | 11.2% | 29.4% | 171,804 |
| 23 | Virginia | 17.3% | 12.0% | 31.6% | 126,501 |
| 24 | Wyoming | 17.3% | 12.8% | 29.9% | 8,152 |
| 25 | Utah | 17.5% | 12.1% | 27.8% | 56,986 |
| 26 | Maine | 17.6% | 12.9% | 27.5% | 20,555 |
| 27 | Arizona | 17.8% | 12.9% | 31.2% | 118,118 |
| 28 | Nevada | 17.8% | 12.9% | 33.5% | 46,782 |
| 29 | Maryland | 18.3% | 11.7% | 33.9% | 83,330 |
| 30 | New York | 18.3% | 13.7% | 29.3% | 154,253 |
| 31 | Pennsylvania | 18.6% | 11.7% | 31.0% | 168,096 |
| 32 | Rhode Island | 18.9% | 10.2% | 30.7% | 14,404 |
| 33 | New Jersey | 19.0% | 12.4% | 32.9% | 106,113 |
| 34 | Tennessee | 19.0% | 15.6% | 26.5% | 122,624 |
| 35 | California | 19.1% | 12.9% | 32.2% | 335,898 |
| 36 | North Carolina | 19.6% | 15.2% | 31.0% | 188,875 |
| 37 | Delaware | 20.0% | 15.4% | 32.2% | 17,361 |
| 38 | Michigan | 20.0% | 15.7% | 29.3% | 141,464 |
| 39 | Hawaii | 20.1% | 12.2% | 34.4% | 12,213 |
| 40 | Oklahoma | 21.3% | 18.6% | 30.4% | 56,497 |
| 41 | Georgia | 22.4% | 17.0% | 34.6% | 172,815 |
| 42 | Texas | 23.1% | 19.9% | 36.7% | 421,653 |
| 43 | Arkansas | 23.3% | 21.5% | 29.3% | 45,314 |
| 44 | Kentucky | 23.3% | 22.2% | 26.2% | 65,145 |
| 45 | Florida | 23.6% | 18.2% | 39.6% | 384,863 |
| 46 | South Carolina | 23.8% | 21.3% | 32.3% | 98,330 |
| 47 | Alabama | 24.4% | 22.3% | 30.0% | 79,109 |
| 48 | New Mexico | 24.6% | 21.8% | 33.2% | 26,637 |
| 49 | West Virginia | 25.1% | 23.0% | 30.9% | 21,394 |
| 50 | Mississippi | 29.8% | 30.0% | 29.3% | 39,047 |
| 51 | Louisiana | 30.3% | 29.9% | 31.5% | 54,124 |
Source: HMDA Data Browser (FFIEC / CFPB) (2023). Data as of June 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Which US state has the lowest mortgage denial rate?
North Dakota had the lowest mortgage denial rate in 2023 at about 11.5%, with Nebraska (12.1%) and Minnesota (12.2%) close behind. The national denial rate was 19.6%. Figures are from the HMDA Data Browser.
Does a low denial rate mean it is easier to get a mortgage there?
Not necessarily. A low denial rate often reflects the applicant pool — stronger credit, higher incomes relative to home prices, or fewer marginal applications — rather than lenient lenders. Approval still depends on your own credit, income, debt and the property.
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Last updated: 2026-06-20