Credello: These Are the Cities and States With the Most Credit Card Debt

It's no secret that many are struggling with credit card debt, but does living in a particular city make you more prone to being in debt? A survey done by WalletHub found that there are some locations in the U.S. where residents statistically carry more debt than others. So if you're considering a move, you may want to see if your potential home is on this list. Otherwise, you might use a personal loan to pay off credit card debt sooner than you think.

The top cities in the U.S. for credit card debt

WalletHub surveyed residents in 182 cities around the U.S. and found these 10 carry the most debt overall.

1. Pearl City, HI

• Total credit card debt held by residents: $222.6 million
• Average credit card debt per household: $15,709

2. New York, NY

• Total credit card debt held by residents: $49.3 billion
• Average credit card debt per household: $15,433

3. Santa Clarita, CA

• Total credit card debt held by residents: $1 billion
• Average credit card debt per household: $14,937

4. Chula Vista, CA

• Total credit card debt held by residents: $1.2 billion
• Average credit card debt per household: $14,861

5. Chesapeake, VA

• Total credit card debt held by residents: $1.3 billion
• Average credit card debt per household: $14,576

6. Oxnard, CA

• Total credit card debt held by residents: $712 million
• Average credit card debt per household: $13,956

7. Anchorage, AK

• Total credit card debt held by residents: $1.5 billion
• Average credit card debt per household: $13,925

8. Santa Ana, CA

• Total credit card debt held by residents: $1.1 billion
• Average credit card debt per household: $13,892

9. Virginia Beach, VA

• Total credit card debt held by residents: $2.4 billion
• Average credit card debt per household: $13,709

10. Scottsdale, AZ

• Total credit card debt held by residents: $1.6 billion
• Average credit card debt per household: $13,623

What we can take from this survey

There are a few correlations where it makes sense that residents in these towns would have high debt. Most cities on this list are either:

• In highly sought-after areas
• Far away from central distribution hubs for goods and services
• Require high incomes to maintain a high quality of life 

What to do if you're planning to move to one of these cities

If you live, or are planning to live, in one of these cities and don't want to fall victim to credit card debt, there are a few things you can do:

1. Research community resources available to residents. Many cities have resources available for low- and no-income residents, such as free or discounted groceries, discounted rates for gyms and recreational activities, and other conveniences.

2. Make sure you know the credit score requirements to get a good loan or mortgage in your area. In most cases, having a high credit score will help you qualify for a lower interest rate on a loan or mortgage.

3. Educate yourself on responsible spending and budgeting techniques. Learning how to save money each month can go a long way in avoiding debt traps down the road.

4. If you're considering buying a house in one of these cities, be sure to read up on mortgage rates so you're not hit with an unexpected cost down the road.

5. Create multiple income streams for more flexibility in case of an unexpected expense. If you have a side hustle, for example, you can use that income to cover unexpected costs.

6. Speak to a financial advisor about what steps you can take to manage your debt and stay on track. A qualified professional will be able to help you develop a Debt Reduction Plan tailored specifically to your situation and financial goals.

The bottom line

Just because your city is on this list doesn't mean you're doomed to stay in debt forever. By taking some simple steps to manage your finances, you can have the best of both worlds: living in the city you want while living a debt-free life.