(AURN News) — If you feel like it’s getting harder to keep up with bills, you’re not alone. A new report says Americans now owe $18.39 trillion — a record amount of household debt that’s inching closer to dangerous territory for working families.
Data from WalletHub shows total debt rose by $28 billion during the second quarter of 2025. The average American now carries $152,653 in debt — just $13,809 below the all-time high. Mortgage debt alone jumped by $20 billion and now totals $12.94 trillion. Credit card debt climbed to nearly $1.21 trillion, with the average balance reaching $10,037.
Student loan balances dropped by $7 billion and now sit at $1.64 trillion — the fifth consecutive second-quarter decline. The average student loan balance is $13,598, according to the report. Auto loan debt also edged down slightly, falling by $1 billion to a total of $1.65 trillion.
Even with slight relief in some areas, overall debt is still climbing — and for many Americans, that means hard choices, mounting stress and less room to breathe.
Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Jamie Jackson:
