New Jersey Ranks 12th for Household Debt Increase
WalletHub's third-quarter 2026 study found New Jersey among the states with the largest household debt gains.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Debt Relief
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WalletHub released a study on a Wednesday ranking New Jersey 12th nationally for largest household debt increases in the third quarter of 2026. The average New Jersey debt rose by $1,505 during the quarter, and the average household owed $192,321.
Why it matters
The increase reflects a rapid rise in household borrowing that is outpacing earlier trends nationwide. Total U.S. household debt grew by $166 billion from the prior quarter, a gain 131% larger than the same quarter a year earlier.
WalletHub's ranking draws on TransUnion and Federal Reserve figures showing New Jersey's average debt rose $1,505 in the quarter to $192,321 per household. Nationally, household debt reached $19.1 trillion, though the report does not explain the causes behind the rise.
The players
WalletHub
WalletHub is a personal finance website that publishes consumer research and state-by-state financial rankings.
TransUnion
TransUnion is a consumer credit reporting agency whose data supported the household debt analysis.
Federal Reserve
The Federal Reserve is the central bank of the United States, whose data on household debt and assets was used in the study.
The details
WalletHub calculated the state rankings using the ratio of total household debt to deposits and assets. The study places New Jersey 12th for largest debt increases, while the average U.S. household owed $157,899, about $15,984 below the all-time high.
Timeline
Q3 2025: comparison quarter for the year-over-year national debt increase.
Q2 2026: prior quarter used for the national quarterly debt comparison.
Q3 2026: quarter covered by the New Jersey ranking and household debt data.
Nov. 11, 2026: WalletHub released the study on a Wednesday.
Debt Trend
The third-quarter 2026 national increase was 131% larger than the gain recorded in Q3 2025, signaling a sharp acceleration in quarterly borrowing. New Jersey's 12th-place ranking shows the trend reaching a sizable share of states.
Households carrying rising balances may face higher monthly payments and less room in their budgets. Reviewing interest rates and repayment options early can help limit the cost of debt growth.
The takeaway
Rising household debt makes it more important to track balances and borrowing costs each quarter. Small adjustments to payments now can prevent larger financial strain later.
Further reading
Explore more on debt relief options for households facing rising balances.
More information
Read the full WalletHub household debt by state study for complete state rankings.
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