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How Much Credit Card Debt Do Americans Have in 2025? (State Breakdown)

Average Credit Card Debt in America in 2022
Sulaiman Abdur-Rahman
Sulaiman Abdur-RahmanUpdated March 12, 2025
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Editor’s note: Lantern by SoFi seeks to provide content that is objective, independent and accurate. Writers are separate from our business operation and do not receive direct compensation from advertisers or partners. Read more about our Editorial Guidelines and How We Make Money.
Millions of Americans continue to struggle with credit card debt. The average credit card debt in America is $6,580, according to a new report from TransUnion®.Out of the 50 states, Alaska has the highest average credit card debt per consumer ($7,863), while Kansas has the lowest ($5,227), data show.Your credit card balance is your credit card debt. Making transactions on your credit card is a liability that eventually needs to be repaid. Below we highlight the average credit card debt in all 50 states and explain why making minimum payments each billing cycle may not be right for you.

The Shocking Truth About Credit Card Debt in the US

Consumer credit card debt in the United States exceeds $1.21 trillion as of the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.The average American credit card debt increased to $6,380 in Q3 2024 (it was $6,088 in Q3 2023 and $5,474 in Q3 2022), according to TransUnion, a nationwide credit bureau.Credit card debt can be costly if you’re paying interest charges. The average interest rate on credit cards is 24.20% as of March 2025, according to Federal Reserve data on credit card accounts assessed interest.

50 State Credit Card Debt Average

Credit card debt varies significantly across the United States, with some states carrying higher balances than others. Factors such as cost of living, income levels, and financial habits all contribute to these differences. Here’s a look at where each state currently stands.

1. Alabama

Alabama enjoys a coastline along the Gulf Coast. Known as the Cotton State, Alabama is also known for peanuts. The average credit card debt in Alabama currently sits at $5,878 per consumer.

2. Alaska

Alaska is the largest state in the country in terms of its geographical boundaries (586,412 square miles). It also leads all 50 states with the highest average credit card debt in the nation. Cardholders in Alaska have an average credit card balance of $7,863.

3. Arizona

Arizona welcomes domestic and international tourism with its Grand Canyon natural landmark and desert climate. The average credit card debt in Arizona is $6,497 per consumer.

4. Arkansas

Arkansas — dubbed the Natural State because of its wildlife, bodies of water, and preserved open space — is a Southern state with a relatively low level of credit card debt per consumer. The average credit card debt in Arkansas is $5,667 per cardholder.

5. California

California is the most populous state in the nation with more than 39.43 million people as of 2024. The Golden State also has one of the highest amounts of credit card debt per consumer. The average credit card debt in California is $6,736 per cardholder.

6. Colorado

Colorado hosts a large stretch of the Rocky Mountains. The Centennial State also hosts a large amount of credit card debt per consumer. The average credit card debt in Colorado is $6,996 per cardholder.

7. Connecticut

Nicknamed the Constitution State, Connecticut has the highest average credit card debt in New England. What is the average credit card debt in Connecticut? It’s currently $7,381 per consumer.

8. Delaware

Delaware is a relatively small state in terms of its geographical boundaries and population. The First State, however, is one of the bigger states in terms of average credit card debt. The average credit card debt in Delaware is $6,622 per consumer.

9. Florida

Florida is one of the largest states in the nation in terms of population and economic activity. The Sunshine State has more than 23 million residents and a gross domestic product (GDP) of nearly $1.3 trillion as of 2023. The average credit card debt in Florida is $7,548 per consumer.

10. Georgia

Georgia produces tons of agricultural goods, but the Peach State also has a relatively high level of credit card debt. The average credit card debt in Georgia is currently $7,112 per consumer.

11. Hawaii

Hawaii sports tropical climate and active volcanoes. This state of islands in the Pacific is also known for its relatively high average credit card debt. Consumers in the Aloha State have an average credit card balance of $6,955.

12. Idaho

Idaho is nicknamed the Gem State and is known for its potatoes. Average credit card debt per consumer in Idaho is higher than some of the other Mountain West states. The average credit card balance in Idaho is $7,107 per cardholder.

13. Illinois

Illinois enjoys its reputation as the Land of Lincoln. This Midwestern state also has a relatively high amount of credit card debt per consumer. The average credit card debt in Illinois is $5,876 per cardholder.

14. Indiana

Indiana is America’s Hoosier State. The average credit card debt in Indiana is $6,553 per consumer — on the low side nationwide.

15. Iowa

Iowa ranks first in the nation in the production of corn for grain. The average credit card debt in Iowa is $5,502 per consumer.

16. Kansas

Kansas markets itself as the Sunflower State, and is currently the state with the lowest average credit card debt. The average credit card balance in Kansas is $5,227 per consumer.

17. Kentucky

Kentucky has a relatively low level of credit card debt per consumer. The average credit card debt in Kentucky is $5,939 per cardholder.

18. Louisiana

Louisiana sits along the Gulf Coast in the South. The Pelican State is also known as the Creole State and the Sugar State. The average credit card debt in Louisiana is $5,304 per consumer.

19. Maine

Maine has relatively low credit card debt per consumer compared with other New England states. The Pine Tree State also has the lowest credit card debt per consumer along the East Coast. The average credit card balance in Maine is currently $6,141 per cardholder.

20. Maryland

Maryland sits south of the Mason-Dixon line. This Old Line State has a relatively low credit card debt in the USA. The average credit card debt in Maryland stands at $5,614 per consumer.

21. Massachusetts

Massachusetts rests in the heart of New England. The Bay State also has a relatively high amount of credit card debt per consumer. The average credit card debt in Massachusetts is $7,282 per cardholder.

22. Michigan

Michigan hosts several manufacturers of popular car makes and models. It’s also known as the Wolverine State and the Great Lake State. The average credit card debt in Michigan is $6,603 per consumer.

23. Minnesota

Minnesota became the North Star State because of its geographical location in the country’s heartland. The average credit card debt in Minnesota is $5,787 per consumer.

24. Mississippi

Mississippi is one of the poorest states in the nation, but the cost of living in the Magnolia State is also among the lowest nationwide. The average credit card debt in Mississippi is $5,906 per consumer.

25. Missouri

Missouri is not just any state — it’s the Show Me State. The average credit card debt in Missouri is $5,415 per consumer.

26. Montana

Montana is known as America’s Treasure State and Big Sky Country. The average credit card debt in Montana is one of the lowest in the Mountain West region. The average credit card balance in Montana hovers at $5,902 per cardholder.

27. Nebraska

Nebraska ranks first in the production of Great Northern beans, according to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The average credit card debt balance in Nebraska is $5,877.

28. Nevada

Nevada may have some issues with gambling debt. This predominantly desert and semiarid state has an average credit card debt of $5,811 per consumer.

29. New Hampshire

New Hampshire represents one of the smaller states but has a high amount of credit card debt per consumer. The average credit card balance in New Hampshire is currently $6,987 per cardholder per recent statistics.

30. New Jersey

New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the United States. The Garden State also has a high average credit card debt. Cardholders in New Jersey have an average credit card balance of $6,497.

31. New Mexico

New Mexico is known for its stunning desert landscapes, rich Native American and Hispanic heritage, and vibrant arts scene. The state also has a high average credit card debt per consumer at $7,401 per cardholder.

32. New York

New York remains one of the largest states in the nation despite its recent decline in population. The average credit card debt in New York is $5,833 per consumer.

33. North Carolina

North Carolina is known for its colleges, universities, and military bases, among other things. (The Tar Heel State has several state-based student loan forgiveness programs.) The average credit card debt in North Carolina is $6,809 per consumer.

34. North Dakota

North Dakota has multiple nicknames, including the Flickertail State, Sioux State, and the Peace Garden State. The average credit card debt in North Dakota is $6,205 per consumer.

35. Ohio

Ohio serves 11.88 million residents as of 2024, making Ohio one of the most populous states in the nation. The Buckeye State also has an average card debt per consumer in the United States at $5,895 per cardholder.

36. Oklahoma

Oklahoma is located in the middle of the 48 contiguous states. The Sooner State also runs among the middle of the pack regarding average credit card debt in America. The average credit card debt in Oklahoma is $5,759 per consumer.

37. Oregon

Oregon carries a lower level of credit card debt per consumer than most of the states it borders. The average credit card debt in Oregon is $6,145 per cardholder.

38. Pennsylvania

Nicknamed the Keystone State, Pennsylvania has a lower amount of credit card debt per consumer compared with its Mid-Atlantic neighbor of New Jersey. The average credit card debt in Pennsylvania is $5,986 per cardholder.

39. Rhode Island

Rhode Island is the smallest state in the country in terms of its geographical area (1,214 square miles). The average credit card debt in Rhode Island is $6,111 per consumer.

40. South Carolina

South Carolina is known for its coastline and beaches. The Palmetto State shares a border with Georgia but has a much smaller scale of credit card debt on average. The average credit card debt in South Carolina is $6,419 per consumer.

41. South Dakota

South Dakota hosts the famous Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The average credit card debt in South Dakota is $6,239 per consumer.

42. Tennessee

Tennessee is well-known for its country music scene. The average credit card balance in Tennessee is $5,524 per cardholder.

43. Texas

Texas is one of the largest states in the nation in terms of its geographical boundaries and population. The Lone Star State also has a lower-than-average credit card debt in the U.S. The average credit card debt in Texas is $5,993 per consumer.

44. Utah

Utah has the Great Salt Lake and a higher average credit card debt than several of the states it borders. The average credit card debt in Utah is $7,211 per consumer.

45. Vermont

Vermont is known as the Green Mountain State. The average credit card debt in Vermont is $6,271 per consumer.

46. Virginia

Virginia enjoys close proximity to the nation’s capital in a region locally nicknamed DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia). Similar to Maryland, consumers in the Old Dominion state carry a relatively low average credit card debt in America. Virginia’s average credit card debt stands at $5,638 per consumer.

47. Washington

Washington state borders the Canadian province of British Columbia and carries a relatively high amount of credit card debt per consumer. The average credit card debt in Washington is $7,002 per cardholder.

48. Washington, D.C.

The nation’s capital is not a state, but the District of Columbia has one of the highest average credit card debt balances in the United States. The average credit card debt in Washington, D.C., stands at $6,723 per consumer.

49. West Virginia

West Virginia remains one of the few states that may pay you to move there if you work from home. The average credit card debt in West Virginia is $5,348 per consumer.

50. Wisconsin

Wisconsin remains the largest cheese producer in the nation, and consumers in America’s Dairyland have the second-lowest average credit card balances nationwide. The average credit card debt in Wisconsin is $5,242 per cardholder.

51. Wyoming

Wyoming has the smallest population in the nation (fewer than 600,000 people), but this Mountain West state has a relatively high amount of credit card debt per consumer. The average credit card debt in Wyoming is $6,227 per cardholder.

How to Find Out Your Credit Card Balance (And Why It Matters)

You can find out your credit card balance by reading your credit card statement. Your credit card balance matters because it’s your unpaid credit card debt that you are expected to repay as fast or as slow as you wish.The slowest way to pay down credit card debt is to make minimum payments each billing cycle. The fastest way to pay down credit card debt is to pay the full statement balance each billing cycle. Cardholders with a credit card grace period may avoid interest charges on new purchases by paying the statement balance in full each billing cycle.The annual percentage rate (APR) on a credit card can be quite high compared with other consumer lending products. If you make minimum payments each billing cycle, it could take years to pay off the debt and the interest charges could be costly.How much credit card debt does the average American have? The average American credit card balance is $6,580 per consumer, according to the latest TransUnion data.Recommended: Guide to Checking Your Credit Card Balance

Is Carrying a Small Balance Good?

In general, leaving a small balance on your credit card is not the best idea if your goal is to build credit without incurring interest charges.Carrying a small balance may not be right for you if you can afford to pay off your statement balance each billing cycle. Unless you have a 0% introductory APR, you may face interest charges if you pay less than the statement balance.

How To Avoid Credit Card Interest

If your credit card has a grace period, you may avoid credit card interest charges by paying your statement balance in full each billing cycle. You may also want to avoid credit card cash advance transactions if you’re trying to avoid credit card interest charges.

Average American Credit Card Debt Balance

The average American credit card debt balance increased 10% year-over-year from Q3 2022 to Q3 2023, according to Experian, one of the big three credit bureaus.You can calculate the national credit card debt average by taking the total balance across all credit card accounts ($1.211 trillion in Q4 2024) and dividing it by the estimated number of adults in the United States with a credit card account in their name (191 million).TransUnion uses a different methodology — a stratified random sample of 5 million consumers — to calculate average credit card debt by state. The $6,580 average credit card balance in 2025 is a measurement of credit card debt under TransUnion’s calculation method. Cardholders who pay their credit card balance in full each billing cycle may avoid interest charges on new purchases.

What You Need to Know About Credit Card Debt and How to Manage It

While it’s interesting to learn the average credit card debt in the U.S., it doesn’t help you much when you’re struggling to pay down your own credit card debt.Most credit cards are unsecured without collateral. This means credit card account holders typically are not required to make a security deposit. Failing to pay and defaulting on your credit card bills can severely damage your credit.When you make transactions on a credit card, the transaction activity represents an unpaid debt that you’ll eventually have to repay as fast or as slow as you wish. If you’re facing credit card debt challenges, below we highlight some ways you may manage your debt.Recommended: 5 Factors That May Affect Your Credit Score

3 Tips to Get Out of Credit Card Debt

Here are three tips that may help you reduce credit card debt:

1. Using Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Some credit card issuers offer new applicants 0% introductory APR financing on balance transfers. This enables you to transfer existing credit card debt to a new card and gives you a break from incurring interest charges. And when you transfer balances from multiple cards, you’re consolidating your debt as well, which can make it easier to stay on top of payments since you’ll have just one instead of multiple.Promotional APR offers last a minimum of six months and can extend up to 21 months. Just note that you may incur a balance transfer fee, which is typically 3% to 5% of the amount transferred. With the way credit cards work, the balance transfer fee is usually added to the balance of the new account.The key to utilizing a balance transfer credit card is to pay a portion of your remaining balance each month before you resume swiping at places accepting credit card payments. This ensures that you have the entire balance paid off by the time the promotional rate expires and the standard rate resumes.

2. Getting a Personal Loan to Consolidate Debt

Another option to pay off credit card debt is to use a personal loan to consolidate debt. Personal loans are typically installment loans with fixed monthly payments and a fixed repayment schedule. Approval typically is based on your personal credit history and credit score.If you have good or excellent credit (661+ VantageScore® 4.0), you might be able to qualify for a loan with a lower interest rate than your current credit cards have. When you receive funding from a personal loan, you can use it to pay off your credit card debt, which may have higher interest rates — especially if your APR is above the average credit card interest rate. 

3. Receiving Credit Counseling

You could also look for a credit counseling service that can offer advice on how to manage your credit card debt and pay it off. There are nonprofit credit counselors who can help you to choose from one of many possible solutions, such as credit card debt forgiveness.Credit counseling can also offer general financial education, such as explanations of important credit card terms and tips on budgeting. Counseling can take place in person, online, or over the phone. You may be able to find nonprofit credit counseling services through a university, military base, credit union, or housing authority.Beware that some vendors may not be legitimate credit counselors. The U.S. Department of Justice maintains a list of approved credit counseling agencies by state. Most of the reputable credit counseling agencies are nonprofit organizations that offer services at local offices, online, or on the phone, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

The Takeaway

Whether you have a large or small amount of credit card debt, paying that balance off as soon as possible may reduce or eliminate your interest costs. When choosing a credit card, consider the card’s standard interest rate, as well as any promotional financing offered on new purchases, balance transfers, or both.Lantern by SoFi can help you find and compare credit cards for building credit. Lantern presents you with multiple options to consider, and you may apply for a credit card with the creditor of your choice.Compare credit-building cards with Lantern.

Frequently Asked Questions

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About the Author

Sulaiman Abdur-Rahman

Sulaiman Abdur-Rahman

Sulaiman Abdur-Rahman writes about personal loans, auto loans, student loans, and other personal finance topics for Lantern. He’s the recipient of more than 10 journalism awards and served as a New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists board member. An alumnus of the Philadelphia-based Temple University, Abdur-Rahman is a strong advocate of the First Amendment and freedom of speech.
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