Here’s How Your State Ranks on Credit Card Debt Per Household

As parents all around the country wake up this morning and instantly regret adding $1,000’s of dollars to their credit cards over the holidays (at a 30% interest rate nonetheless) so that little Johnny could have the latest iPad, gaming console and sneakers, here is a list of the states where consumers have racked up the most revolving debt.

Ironically, when color coded based on political preference, with the notable exception of Alaska, Democratic-leaning states seem to carry higher credit card debt balances than conservative states.  Imagine that, conservatives expect their government to run budgets the way they run their own households.

Meanwhile, as MarketWatch points out, in the worst states it would take the average family over a year and a half to pay off their credit debt if they contributed 15% of their median income to debt repayment.  But who wants to pay down credit card debt anyway?  We can’t very well have economic growth if people are unwilling to borrow all the way up to the point that they can no longer afford the minimum payment…right, Janet?

According to ValuPenguin, millennials carry an average credit card balance of $5,800 while, shockingly, even those American’s past retirement age are carrying credit card balances over $6,000 well into their 70’s. 

And, of course, the more you make the more you borrow…because why not?

Meanwhile, Experian’s State of Credit 2016 report highlights the top/bottom 10 cities in the United States based on credit score.  Minnesota and Wisconsin absolutely dominate that the top 10 list while California, Texas and Louisiana account for 8 out of the 10 worst cities.

Oh well, at least little Johnny will love the new Xbox and sneakers for at least a week and it made for a great Facebook pic!