Study Says Washington Takes the 6th Longest Time to Payoff Credit

Credit card debt is climbing across the country, and a new study shows people in Washington might be taking longer to pay theirs off than most other states.

WalletHub recently analyzed credit data from TransUnion with income information from the Federal Reserve and U.S. Census Bureau to estimate how long it would take the average resident in each state to pay off their median credit card balance.

The results put Washington sixth in the nation for the longest expected payoff timeline. 6th isn’t good; let me explain.

Ignoring Our Debt, Washington’s Numbers Are Not Good

The study says the median Washington resident carries $3,073 in credit card debt. Based on typical monthly payments, it would take about 13 months to pay that balance off.

During that time, the average person would pay an estimated $364 in interest.

While Washington isn’t home to the highest median credit card balances in the country, residents still rank near the top because of how long it is taking us to pay it off.

Payoff Time Matters More Than You Think

WalletHub points out the rankings are not just about who owes the most money, but can estimate how sustainable that debt is by considering multiple factors.

Even a relatively modest balance can become expensive if monthly payments are low, allowing interest charges to build up over time.

The report comes as Americans are expected to add another $100 billion in credit card debt during 2026, pushing the nation’s total to nearly $1.4 trillion.

Washington ranked behind only the District of Columbia, Alaska, Vermont, Colorado, and Connecticut for the longest projected payoff timeline.

Of course, these figures represent statewide medians rather than individual situations. Some households pay their balances in full every month, while others may carry debt longer due to unexpected expenses or financial hardships.

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