The 5 states where people have the most mortgage debt — and 5 where they have the least

Mortgage debt has increased by 80% since 2003 and remains the primary source of debt in the US, a new study found.

The Kaplan Group, a commercial collection agency, released a study in June on the debt burden Americans face. It analyzed State Level Household Debt Statistics from 2003 to 2023 to discover that three-quarters of the total debt burden is mortgage debt.

Far behind mortgages are student loans and car loans, which each total 10% of Americans’ debt burden. Credit card debt comprises 7% of the overall debt, The Kaplan Group found.

Take a look at the states with the five highest and five lowest average amounts of mortgage debt.

5th Highest: Hawaii

Average Mortgage Debt: $63,620.00

4th Highest: Washington

Average Mortgage Debt: $64,750.00

3rd Highest: California

Average Mortgage Debt: $67,840.00

2nd Highest: Colorado

Average Mortgage Debt: $70,790.00

Highest: Washington DC

Average Mortgage Debt: $79,730.00

5th Lowest: Kentucky

Average Mortgage Debt: $25,270.00

4th Lowest: Oklahoma

Average Mortgage Debt: $24,730.00

3rd Lowest: Arkansas

Average Mortgage Debt: $24,000.00

2nd Lowest: Mississippi

Average Mortgage Debt: $20,750.00

Lowest: West Virginia

Average Mortgage Debt: $19,610.00