The amount of credit card debt U.S. consumers have accrued is now $1.3 trillion and rising, but some states have more debt than others.
Consumers in Alaska have the highest credit card debt, according to data from WalletHub, with a median amount of $3,859 per person. Given the state’s average monthly credit card payment of $259, it would take over a year and a half for the average person in Alaska to pay off their bill. They would also incur $635 in interest along the way.
While a state’s median credit card debt can be an indicator of its residents’ financial health compared to other states, it’s not the only metric to consider.
“It’s also important to look at how much residents put toward paying their debts off each month,” noted Cassandra Happe, Analyst at WalletHub in a post. “Low average payments lead to long payoff timelines, which in turn lead to high amounts of interest accrued. For example, Vermont’s median credit card debt is relatively low, but it ranks as the state with the third-biggest debt problem due to low average monthly payments.”
Alarming Delinquency
Along with Alaska and Vermont, the District of Columbia, Connecticut, and Georgia rounded out the top five states by median credit card debt. One notable data point from the study is that even in the states with the least credit card debt, it would still take consumers more than 11 months to pay their debt in full if they just make the average payment.
“High median credit card debts in certain regions can be attributed to a combination of several key factors,” Happe said. “Firstly, areas with high living costs often see residents relying more on credit cards to cover everyday expenses, leading to increased debt. Despite having relatively high median incomes, residents in these regions may still face financial pressure due to the expensive cost of living, which encourages higher spending and, consequently, larger credit card balances.”
Lingering inflation and high interest rates have been responsible for an increase in credit card delinquency as consumers increasingly depend on credit cards to pay for everyday items. U.S. credit scores for lower-income cardholders have dropped to their lowest point since 2020.
“Moreover, the average monthly payments toward credit card debt in these areas tend to be low,” Happe said. “This slow repayment rate means that debt remains outstanding for longer periods, accumulating substantial interest over time. Additionally, individuals in these regions often hold multiple credit cards, which can lead to higher overall debt as spending is distributed across various accounts.”
Financial Insecurity
The tough macroeconomic environment can have a lasting impact on consumers’ mental health, according to a separate report by WalletHub. The study found that 64% of Americans feel insecure about their finances, and 41% believe their finances determine their self-worth.
“Financial literacy plays a crucial role,” Happe said. “Lower levels of financial literacy can result in poorer financial management, further exacerbating debt issues. Lastly, economic conditions, including job availability and wage levels, influence credit card debt. Economic disparities and high living costs drive increased reliance on credit cards, making it challenging for residents to manage and pay off their debts efficiently. These intertwined factors create an environment where managing credit card debt becomes a significant challenge for many individuals.”
