The Average American Has This Much Debt. How Does Yours Compare?

The Average American Has This Much Debt. How Does Yours Compare? It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures that our product ratings are not influenced by compensation. Image source: Getty Images Paying down debt is the top money goal for many Americans heading into 2026. But "being in debt" can mean very different things depending on the household. For some, it's about getting rid of high-interest credit card balances. For others, it's the long game of paying off a mortgage. Right now, the average U.S. household carries $105,056 in total debt . Here's how that total breaks down across mortgages and credit cards. Average household debt breakdown As of the third quarter of 2025, total household debt in the U.S. hit $18.585 trillion. Divided across Americans, that works out to an average of $105,056 per household . Most of that debt (70%) comes from mortgages, with the average mortgage balance at $268,060 . Mortgage debt is generally less concerning than other forms of borrowing, because home loans usually have lower interest rates and they help families build equity over time. Credit card debt is a different story. Right now the average credit card debt is about $6,523 per household , and we've surpassed $1.23 trillion in total across the country. While credit card balances are a lower dollar amount, they usually have the highest interest rates. That makes it both expensive and stressful to carry. And the longer credit card balances stick around, the more they cost in interest. The good news is that there are ways to make this type of debt more manageable -- and, in some cases, pay it off faster. 1. Consider a balance transfer If you have good credit, a balance transfer could be worth considering. This involves moving your existing balance to a new credit card that offers a 0% intro APR. Many balance transfer cards can give you a break from interest for 12 months, 15 months, or even up to 21 months. See a list of the top balance transfer credit cards you can apply for today. The goal is to pay down as much debt as possible before the introductory period ends and interest charges kick back in. It can also help to look for ways to free up extra cash during that window. Picking up a side job or freelance work could help you put more money toward your balances. 2. Consolidate your debt via a personal loan Personal loans usually come with lower interest rates than credit cards, especially if your credit is in decent shape. They also usually have fixed interest rates, which means your monthly payment stays the same from month to month. That kind of consistency can go a long way. Instead of juggling multiple credit card bills with changing minimums, you only have to worry about a single predictable payment over a set timeline to pay off your debt. If this sounds like a good fit, it's always worth comparing top personal...

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