Credit Card Debt Climbs As WalletHub Identifies Cities Carrying The Largest Balances
By CU Today Staff —
MIAMI--With U.S. credit card debt standing at $1.35 trillion and projected to rise by another $100 billion this year, a new WalletHub analysis found that several affluent California communities and one Hawaii city carry the highest average credit card balances in the nation.
Using data from the Federal Reserve and TransUnion adjusted for inflation, WalletHub ranked 182 large U.S. cities based on average household credit card debt. The study found that high debt levels do not necessarily signal financial distress, as many of the top-ranked cities also reported strong incomes and significant debt repayment activity during the first quarter of 2026.
Santa Clarita, Calif., topped the list, with households carrying an average of $23,714 in credit card debt, totaling nearly $1.8 billion across the city. WalletHub noted that Santa Clarita residents also paid down more household debt than any other city during the first quarter and benefit from median incomes well above the national average, suggesting many households have the capacity to manage larger balances.
Chula Vista, Calif., ranked second with average household credit card debt of $20,778, also totaling roughly $1.8 billion citywide. WalletHub said the city combines relatively high spending with strong repayment trends, ranking eighth nationally in household debt reduction during the quarter. The report also found a comparatively low share of residents experiencing financial distress.
Pearl City, Hawaii, placed third, with average household credit card debt of $20,246 and collective balances approaching $303 million. Residents ranked 10th nationally in debt repayment during the first quarter, and WalletHub said the community's above-average median income suggests many households have greater flexibility to pay down balances despite carrying substantial credit card debt. The rankings were based on data collected through May 14 from the U.S. Census Bureau, TransUnion and the Federal Reserve.
Originally reported by CU Today.