These states are increasing their consumer debt. Georgia ranked fifth

As prices continue to rise across the country, Americans are tacking more and more money onto their consumer debt.

Americans have $1.3 trillion in credit card debt, $1.7 trillion in auto loan debt and billions of dollars in personal loans, collectively. Consumer debts also include mortgages, payday loans and student loans.

But, the residents of some states are increasing their debt faster than others.

A new report from WalletHub compared all 50 states for the change in average debt from the third quarter to the fourth quarter of 2025. Here’s what they found.

States with highest increase in consumer debt

“At a time when interest rates are very high, it’s especially important to minimize the accumulation of debt. Americans have added a staggering amount of new debt in the past decade, and it can be very easy for that debt to become unsustainable leading to future issues like default and major credit score damage,” John Kiernan, a WalletHub editor, said in the report.

Here are the states that increased their consumer debt the most in the second half of 2025.

1. Maine
2. Wyoming
3. Hawaii
4. Montana
5. Georgia
6. New Mexico
7. North Dakota
8. Florida
9. Texas
10. Vermont

“The average credit card balance in Maine increased by nearly 8% from Q3 2025 to Q4 2025, rising to nearly $8,000,” the report said. “For context, the vast majority of states saw increases of less than 5%”

Maine’s auto loans balances went up 2%, the third highest in the country, while personal loans increased 0.5%, one of only three states that had increases.

Wyoming was second with a 5.5% increase in credit card debt, and a 2.5% increase in auto loan debt, the largest in the country. The state’s personal loan debt, however, decreased by 2.4% during the time period.

States with lowest increase in consumer debt

Here are the states with the lowest increases, or even decreases in debt.

1. Michigan
2. Kentucky
3. Ohio
4. New Hampshire
5. Connecticut
6. Iowa
7. Missouri
8. Delaware
9. Oregon
10. West Virginia

How can you start to pay off your consumer debt?

WalletHub experts gave a few tips for paying down your debt — and then keeping it down.

You should start by creating a detailed repayment plan that lists all debts, their interest rates and minimum monthly payments to create a schedule to pay the debt down with extra funds. Experts also recommend cutting down unnecessary expenses so money can be redirected toward paying debt.

If possible, you can negotiate lower interest rates with creditors, or even find a temporary fix through a hardship plan. If needed, you can try and find additional income through a part-time job, freelancing or selling unwanted or unneeded items.

If you have debt but also good credit, you may be able to refinance your debt through a balance transfer or debt consolidation loan.

Irene Wright is the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.