Average Credit Card Debt in Massachusetts: $6,853
Massachusetts households carry an average of $6,853 in credit card debt — right at the national average of $6,730. Median household income runs $99,858, which is 28% higher than the national median of $77,719.
Massachusetts vs National Averages
Average credit card debt is a household-level statistic: it captures what the typical Massachusetts household carries on revolving credit, not what an individual owes. Total non-mortgage household debt in Massachusetts (which includes auto loans, student loans, and personal loans alongside credit cards) averages $49,700, 20% higher than the national average of $41,500.
Massachusetts household debt is elevated across most consumer categories; student loan balances run among the highest in the country.
At Massachusetts's median household income of $99,858 and the state average credit card balance of $6,853, the average debt-to-income ratio on credit card debt alone runs 6.9%. That is the share of one year's pre-tax income that the typical Massachusetts household has tied up in revolving consumer debt. For households over 36% total DTI (including mortgage, auto, and student debt), lender risk thresholds typically apply and refinancing or new credit becomes harder.
Paying off $6,853 of credit card debt at a typical 22% APR with a minimum-only payment takes roughly 25-30 years and costs more in interest than the original principal. Accelerating the payoff is the question every Massachusetts household with a balance faces. The right strategy — snowball, avalanche, or hybrid — depends on the portfolio composition, not on a one-size-fits-all rule.
How long to pay off $6,853 at 22% APR
| Approach | Monthly payment | Months | Total interest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum payment onlyMost of each payment goes to interest; principal moves slowly | $137 | 137 | $11,924 |
| Pay off in 36 monthsSustainable for most households at moderate APRs | $262 | 36 | $2,569 |
| Pay off in 12 monthsAggressive — requires significant monthly cash flow | $641 | 12 | $844 |
Massachusetts cities with their own calculator
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Frequently asked questions
What is the average credit card debt in Massachusetts?
The average Massachusetts household carries $6,853 in credit card debt as of the 2026 data snapshot. Total non-mortgage household debt in the state, including auto, student, and personal loans, averages $49,700.
How does Massachusetts compare to the national average for credit card debt?
Massachusetts's $6,853 average sits right at the national average of $6,730. Against the state's $99,858 median household income, card debt alone equals 6.9% of a year's pre-tax income.
What monthly payment clears the average Massachusetts card balance in three years?
About $262 a month retires a $6,853 balance in 36 months at a typical 22% APR, with roughly $2,579 of total interest. Paying it off in 12 months takes about $641 a month instead.
Why do minimum payments barely move a $6,853 balance?
A typical minimum payment near 2% of the balance mostly covers the month's interest at a 22% APR, so principal falls very slowly. Clearing $6,853 on minimums alone generally takes decades and costs more in interest than the original balance. Any fixed payment above the minimum shortens that timeline sharply.
Is snowball or avalanche better for paying off debt in Massachusetts?
Neither method wins universally: snowball clears the smallest balance first for early momentum, while avalanche targets the highest APR to minimize interest. For a single card near the Massachusetts average of $6,853, the two orders converge, and the choice matters more when several balances at different APRs are in play.
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Data: Experian State of Credit Cards Q3 2024 (avg credit card debt); U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 1-Year Estimates (median household income). Refreshed 2026-05-26.. Snapshot 2026-05-26. Re-baselined quarterly.