| State |
Q4 2024 debt per capita |
Q4 2025 debt per capita |
1-year change ($) |
1-year change (%) |
Compared with US average |
| #2-Hawaii |
$5,030 |
$5,220 |
$190 |
3.80% |
20.0% above |
| US average |
$4,180 |
$4,350 |
$170 |
4.10% |
Reference |
Credit Card Debt Rises in Every U.S. State, Seven Top $5,000 Per Person
from Targeted News Service
WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 -- Credit card debt increased in every U.S. state over the year, with residents in seven states carrying average balances of at least $5,000, according to a new analysis by Achieve. Based on Federal Reserve Bank of New York data, the study found that the national average rose 4.1%, from $4,180 in Q4 2024 to $4,350 in Q4 2025. Alaska recorded the highest average balance at $5,250 per person, while Mississippi had the lowest at $3,030. The study used residents with a credit report.
Alaska topped the ranking despite recording the smallest annual increase. Its balance rose 1.5% to $5,250, which is 20.7% above the national average. Hawaii followed at $5,220 after a 3.8% increase, while New Jersey ranked third at $5,160 after debt climbed 4.2%. Maryland came fourth at $5,090, followed by Nevada at $5,060 and Florida at $5,050. California became the seventh state to cross the $5,000 threshold, with an average balance of exactly $5,000. California also recorded the largest dollar increase, with balances rising $260, or 5.5%, over the year.
Connecticut ranked eighth with an average balance of $4,960, followed by Colorado at $4,910 and New York at $4,820. All three remained above average. Mississippi had the lowest credit card debt in the country at $3,030, or 30.3% below the national figure. Kentucky ranked second-lowest at $3,140, followed by West Virginia at $3,180, Iowa at $3,250 and Arkansas at $3,310. Alabama and Wisconsin shared sixth place at $3,400, while Indiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico and South Dakota completed the bottom ten. Despite having the lowest balances, every state in this group also recorded an increase.
Achieve Co-CEO and founder Brad Stroh said the most notable finding was that credit card debt rose in every state, suggesting the increase was widespread. He also pointed to a $2,220 gap between Alaska and Mississippi, noting that income, living costs and credit use may contribute to variations. The pace of growth also differed. Alaska had the highest balance but the slowest increase, while states such as South Carolina, Tennessee and Arizona recorded some of the sharper increases despite having lower average balances. The figures show both current debt levels and changes over time.
The analysis used the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's State Level Household Debt Statistics for 2003-2025. States were ranked according to credit card debt per person in Q4 2025 and compared with the national average and Q4 2024. Only states with complete data for both years were included, and figures were rounded to the nearest $10. The data comes from the New York Fed Consumer Credit Panel, based on a 5% Equifax sample. Findings show a nationwide rise in credit card balances, although the size of the increase and average amount owed vary between states.
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