US Household Debt Hits Record $19.1 Trillion
Total US household debt reached a record $19.1 trillion in the third quarter of 2026, driven by rising credit card and auto loan balances.
Total household debt in the United States reached a record high of $19.1 trillion in the third quarter of 2026. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the total rose by $334 billion during the quarter, a trend the agency attributes to the cumulative effects of inflation and elevated borrowing costs.
Debt increases occurred across several major categories. Credit card balances hit a record $1.29 trillion, while auto loan balances rose to $1.73 trillion and student loan balances increased to $1.66 trillion. Home equity lines of credit also grew by $23 billion to reach $481 billion, marking the largest quarterly increase since 2005.
These financial pressures coincide with volatility in the automotive and housing markets. The average price of a new vehicle reached a record $51,109, while existing home sales fell to their lowest level since 2010.
