Average U.S. Credit Card Debt Hits $15,355 Per Household

The total amount of debt owed by U.S. consumers has reached $11.91 trillion, with the average indebted household owing $15,355 in credit card debt alone, according to NerdWallet's Annual American Household Credit Card Debt Study. As one of the most expensive types of debt, credit card debt costs consumers an average of $2,630 per year in interest, assuming an average APR of 18 percent.

"It's alarming that household debt is on the rise, but it's also important to recognize that not all debt is created equal," says Sean McQuay, NerdWallet's Credit Card Associate. "Under the right circumstances, mortgage, student and auto loan debt can be helpful in building a bright financial future. That said, it's critical for Americans to understand their debt and recognize that certain types of debt are unnecessarily costly."

Total debt owed by U.S. consumers

Credit cards

• $15,355 per household; $712 billion total

Mortgages

• $165,892 per household; $8.12 trillion total

Auto loans

• $26,530 per household; $1.03 trillion total

Student loans

• $47,712 per household; $1.21 trillion total

Total

• $129,579 per household;  $11.91 trillion

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