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These States Will Take the Longest to Pay Off Credit Card Debt

Is your state on the list of worst offenders in terms of residents carrying a credit card balance?

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Updated May 28, 2024
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In some states, residents find themselves deeper in the red than in others.

WalletHub recently released its study of the states where consumers have the most and the least amount of credit card debt. But where did your state land?

Check this list for the top 15 states — plus the District of Columbia — where people owe the most credit card debt. And if your state made the list, get to work crushing your debt today.


Connecticut

f11photo/Adobe cityscape of Connecticut

Time to pay off debt: 13 months and 15 days

Connecticut is the southernmost state among the New England states. It is home to Yale University and the oldest-running newspaper in the U.S., the Hartford Courant.

The median credit card debt in the Nutmeg State is $2,529.

Virginia

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe Richmond Virginia USA Neighborhoods

Time to pay off debt: 13 months and 15 days

Virginia is home to Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in the Americas. It was founded in 1607.

The median credit card debt in the Old Dominion State is $2,461.

South Dakota

Jacob/Adobe Rapid City South Dakota in Summer

Time to pay off debt: 13 months and 16 days

South Dakota is home to Badlands National Park, which includes 244,000 acres of land, as well as bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs. You can also meet paleontologists who work with dinosaur fossils in the park.

The median credit card debt in the Mount Rushmore State is $2,048.

Idaho

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe Boise Idaho USA Downtown

Time to pay off debt: 13 months and 17 days

The next time you bite into a french fry, remember that nearly one-third of potatoes in the U.S. come from Idaho. The state also contains parts of the Rocky Mountains chain.

The median credit card debt in the Gem State is $2,104.

Minnesota

andreykr/Adobe Downtown Minneapolis Minnesota

Time to pay off debt: 13 months and 17 days

Minnesota is also known as the “land of 10,000 lakes.” In truth, the state has more than 14,000 fresh bodies of water that are at least 10 acres in size each.

The median credit card debt in the North Star State is $2,150.

North Dakota

Wirestock/Adobe downtown Fargo North Dakota

Time to pay off debt: 13 months and 19 days

The state that includes the city of Fargo was admitted into the U.S. on the same day as neighboring South Dakota. It’s well-known for the college hockey success of the University of North Dakota, including eight national championships.

The median credit card debt in the Peace Garden State is $2,174.

Colorado

Matt/Adobe Union Station Denver Colorado

Time to pay off debt: 13 months and 25 days

Colorado boasts a slew of ski resorts, including Vail and Aspen. Colorado is home to plenty of other outdoor activities, including hiking and rafting for more adventurous types.

The median credit card debt in the Centennial State is $2,646.

Massachusetts

Time to pay off debt: 14 months and 3 days

Massachusetts is the home of the Boston Celtics, which is one of only two teams in the National Basketball Association with 17 championships. (The other is the Los Angeles Lakers.)

The median credit card debt in the Bay State is $2,344.

New Hampshire

jiawangkun/Adobe Hanover New Hampshire

Time to pay off debt: 14 months and 3 days

The New England state of New Hampshire could be considered a funny place. It’s the home state of comedians Adam Sandler, Seth Meyers, and Sarah Silverman.

The median credit card debt in the Granite State is $2,372.

Pro tip: One great way to pay off your credit card debt is to look for ways to earn extra money.

Montana

Westley/Adobe mountain biking Missoula Montana

Time to pay off debt: 14 months and 7 days

Tourism is a major part of Montana’s economy. In addition to plenty of outdoor activities, the state also boasts two national parks: Yellowstone and Glacier.

The median credit card debt in this state — which has no official nickname but is often referred to as Big Sky Country — is $2,227.

Oregon

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe Eugene Oregon USA Skyline

Time to pay off debt: 14 months and 7 days

The Lewis and Clark Expedition set out to explore the Louisiana Purchase in the early 1800s and finally reached the Pacific Ocean on the coast of Oregon in 1805.

The median credit card debt in the Beaver State is $2,208.

Wyoming

f11photo/Adobe Jackson Hole Wyoming

Time to pay off debt: 14 months and 10 days

Wyoming was the first state in the U.S. to allow women the right to vote and also the first state to elect a woman as governor. It’s home to two national parks, Yellowstone and Grand Teton.

The median credit card debt in the Equality State is $2,324.

Vermont

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe Burlington Vermont USA

Time to pay off debt: 14 months and 12 days

Head to Vermont if you want a sweet treat. The state is home to Ben & Jerry’s, the famous ice-cream maker founded in 1978 in Burlington.

The median credit card debt in the Green Mountain State is $2,181.

Washington

kenmc3/Adobe Seattle Sunset

Time to pay off debt: 14 months and 21 days

The state is the home of several major companies’ headquarters, including Costco, Starbucks, and Microsoft. But the largest company in the state is Amazon.

The median credit card debt in the Evergreen State is $2,471.

District of Columbia

f11photo/Adobe capitol building in Washington DC

Time to pay off debt: 17 months and 3 days

The nation’s capital is home to plenty of monuments. You will also find the Smithsonian Institution here, which includes museums like the National Museum of Natural History, the National Portrait Gallery, and the National Air and Space Museum.

The median credit card debt in the nation’s capital is $2,788.

Alaska

Jacob/Adobe aerial View of a Sunset over Downtown Anchorage Alaska in Spring

Time to pay off debt: 17 months and 27 days

Alaska is home to Denali, which is the highest mountain peak in the U.S. Alaska is also the largest state in the country.

The median credit card debt in the Last Frontier State is $3,206.

Bottom line

Wayhome Studio/Adobe Stressed woman looking at bills

Do you have credit debt? Try your best to pay it off. Getting rid of your debt is one of the best ways to stop living paycheck to paycheck.

Once your debt is gone, you can begin looking for clever ways to boost your savings and put yourself on a solid financial footing.

National Debt Relief Benefits

  • No upfront fees1
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Author Details

Jenny Cohen

Jenny Cohen is a freelance writer who has covered a bit of everything, from finance to sports to her favorite TV shows. Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and FoxSports.com.