You’ve probably wondered at some point — maybe during a late-night money panic — what’s the average credit card debt in the US? You’re not alone. And here’s the kicker: it’s worse than most folks think. We’re not talking a few hundred bucks hanging out on a Target card. The number as of 2024 is around $6,501 per person, according to Experian’s latest report. And that’s per cardholder, not per household. So if you’ve got a partner, multiply that mess.
What’s the Average Credit Card Debt in the US? It’s a Symptom, Not the Disease
That number — as shocking as it is — isn’t the real story. It’s just the fever. And like with any fever, when you only focus on the symptom, you miss the root problem. The real crisis is this: millions of people are silently drowning in minimum payments, stretched too thin from rising costs, and stuck in a hamster wheel built by compound interest and a splash of shame.
I’ve talked to thousands of people chasing their tail with credit card payments, and most of them felt like failures. Not because they spent recklessly — but because they genuinely didn’t know what else to do. Jobs didn’t pay enough. Emergencies destroyed savings. Life happened. And the credit card became the lifeboat that turned into an anchor.
This Isn’t About Lattes — Let’s Stop That Nonsense Now
I’m over the advice that says you drank your way into debt with Starbucks. Seriously, stop. You’re not in debt because of $5 coffee. You’re in debt because healthcare is expensive, child care costs more than college, wages haven’t kept up with inflation, and someone needed new tires and couldn’t wait for payday.
The average interest rate on credit cards right now? Around 22%. And that’s if you’re lucky. Miss one minimum payment or trigger a penalty APR, and things can fly past 30%. That’s mafia-level nonsense. So when people say, “Just make your payments,” I want to throw a folding chair.
Here’s the Truth You Probably Haven’t Heard Yet
Most people in deep credit card debt struggle silently because they think asking for help makes them weak.
But listen — the real weak move is letting shame keep you stuck. I’ve helped folks who were 70 years old with $90,000 in debt and no retirement. I’ve talked to single moms with five cards maxed out because getting by meant groceries on plastic. And they all had the same first reaction: “I feel so stupid.”
You’re not stupid. You’re under pressure. And when we’re under pressure, we make survival decisions. There is no shame in that.
Quick Math: How Fast Does That Debt Balloon?
Let’s say you owe $6,500 and only make the minimum payment of around $130. At 22% interest, it’ll take you around 30 years to pay it off, and you’ll end up throwing away more than $15,000 in interest.
Let that sink in. You’re paying for past purchases three times over. Now imagine doing that while still using the card because you can’t breathe any other way.
So What Can You Actually Do?
1. Track Your Spending — Don’t Budget Blind
Don’t start with some spreadsheet fantasy about cutting your grocery budget to $200. That’s not real life. Instead, track your spending for one month. Use PayPal summaries, Credit Karma tools, or your bank’s dashboard. Look at actual behavior, then sketch a plan around that. Work with your reality, not your guilt.
2. Stop Paying Without a Strategy
I’ve seen people waste 5+ years trying to “snowball” or “avalanche” their debt while new emergencies keep popping up. If you don’t have an emergency fund or your job’s unstable, this kind of payoff plan can backfire. You churn cards, feel burned out, and end up deeper in the hole.
Instead, build a short-term game plan. Survival first. Some structure second.
Here’s a book I wrote that I think will help: Eliminate Your Debt Like a Pro.
3. Consider Reinforcements, but Be Careful
You’ve probably seen debt relief ads promising to cut your balance in half or wipe away your debt. I’ve written a whole warning guide on this — read The Ultimate Consumer Guide to Checking Out a Debt Relief Company Before You Sign On the Line.
Some companies are legit. But others will overpromise, disappear, and leave you worse than before. You way overpay in fees and end up settling debt you could’ve handled another way.
Credit counseling? Yeah, sounds noble, but here’s the reality: only about 1 in 3 people actually complete those programs, according to this comparison of failure rates. And the long-term cost is brutal — you could be robbing your future of hundreds of thousands of dollars for a plan that doesn’t even finish. So tread carefully, my friend.
4. Don’t Be Afraid of Bankruptcy — Seriously
This one scares people more than clowns in a haunted corn maze, but it can be the smartest financial decision you ever make. If your debt is unpayable, bankruptcy isn’t failure. It’s strategy. Just read this research-backed post — people who file for bankruptcy often end up healthier, wealthier, and way less stressed than those who stay stuck on the hamster wheel.
Think about it — what good are you to your family, your goals, or even your sanity if you keep drowning?
A Moment of Real Talk and Hope
Here’s something I want you to hold onto: You are not your credit card statement. That balance doesn’t define your value, your worth, or your future. It’s a snapshot — not your whole story.
I once heard from a dad named Chris. He had $45,000 in credit card debt. Avoided opening the mail, had panic attacks at gas stations, you name it. He thought he had to pay it all back, no matter what, or he’d be a terrible father. We talked through his situation, and I told him something that changed everything:
Do You Have a Question You'd Like Help With? Contact Debt Coach Damon Day. Click here to reach Damon.
“Doing the smart thing may not always feel like the pure thing — but survival isn’t about purity. It’s about progress.”
He ended up filing Chapter 7. Six months later, he wrote me this one-liner: “I sleep again.” That was it. That’s the win.
People Also Ask
How Much Credit Card Debt Is Considered Normal?
There’s no “normal,” but the national average hovers around $6,500. If your balance is much higher, don’t panic — it just means the typical person is also struggling. What’s more important is whether or not you can make progress paying it down. If you’re spinning in circles, that’s your signal to pause and reassess — not to keep pushing harder with the same broken plan.
Should I Use a Loan to Pay Off My Credit Cards?
Maybe — but this isn’t a magic trick. Consolidation can help by lowering your interest rate and giving you fixed payments. But it doesn’t erase your debt, and if you’ve still got spending leaks, you’ll end up with loan debt and new credit card balances. Don’t chase structure without fixing habits. And watch out for fees, shady terms, or loans that stretch too long.
Is It Better to Pay Off One Card or Spread Out Payments?
If you’re not falling behind, choose whichever method motivates you. Some folks like knocking out the smallest balance first (snowball), others prefer hitting the highest interest rate (avalanche). But if you’re overwhelmed and making minimums only, a deeper strategy — or professional help — might be smarter than just shuffling payments.
Let Me Leave You With This
You’re stronger than your debt. Smarter, too — or you wouldn’t be here reading this.
You’ve got options. You
