Household debt rises in Utah, among nation’s fastest increases

LOGAN — Utah households saw one of the nation’s sharpest increases in debt this past quarter, according to a new WalletHub analysis. From the second to the third quarter of 2025, the average debt in Utah rose by $831, bringing the state’s average household debt total to $245,268 — the fourth-largest increase in the country.

Nationwide, total household debt grew by $69 billion in the third quarter, a 19% smaller increase than the same period in 2024. The average American household now owes about $154,152, roughly $13,500 below the all-time high.

WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said debt growth can mean different things depending on how residents manage their loans.

“A big increase in a state’s average household debt can be a sign that residents are struggling financially,” Lupo said. “However, residents of some states may be able to handle an increased debt load well, which is why it’s important to also consider delinquency rates.”

While Utah’s debt levels continue to rise, the state still shows strong debt-to-deposit and debt-to-asset ratios, indicating most residents remain financially stable. Those ratios remain below pre-pandemic levels and less than half of what they were in the early 2000s.

Neighboring Idaho ranked ninth, while Hawaii, California, Colorado, and Washington topped the list for fastest debt growth.