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Gen Xers Carry the Most Non-Mortgage Debt in 45 of the 50 Largest US Metros

Maggie Gunara

Written by  Maggie Gunara

Becca Stanek

Edited by  Becca Stanek

Updated
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Credit cards and loans can be valuable financial tools when used wisely, but debt can pile up fast — and where you live and how old you are can indicate how heavy that burden is. 

Researchers analyzed roughly 400,000 anonymized credit reports from LendingTree users in the 50 largest U.S. metros to see how non-mortgage debt breaks down by generation and where balances run the highest. Here’s what we found.

Key findings
  • Across the generations analyzed, median non-mortgage debt in the 50 largest U.S. metros is $16,848. Gen Xers have the highest median balance at $24,723, followed by millennials at $21,842. Gen Zers ($11,854) and baby boomers ($10,898) carry considerably less. Gen Xers also have the highest median non-mortgage debt in 45 of the 50 metros analyzed, with millennials leading in the other five.
  • Texas metros lead the rankings for non-mortgage debt among three generations. Houston ranks first for Gen Xers ($35,179) and millennials ($28,028), while San Antonio leads among baby boomers ($19,336). Virginia Beach, Va., has the highest median among Gen Zers at $17,918.
  • Credit card debt becomes more prevalent with age, but Gen Xers carry the highest balances. Across the 50 largest metros, 91.9% of baby boomers have credit card debt, compared with 72.1% of Gen Zers. Gen X cardholders have the highest median balance at $6,124, led by those in San Diego at $7,931 — the highest balance for any generation in any metro analyzed. 
  • Gen Xers carry the most auto loan debt, while some of the highest balances are concentrated in Texas. Nearly half (48.1%) of Gen Xers have auto loan debt, with a median balance of $23,254. Houston Gen Xers have the highest median balance at $29,464. San Antonio ranks No. 1 for each of the other generations, with median balances of $26,257 for millennials, $25,968 for baby boomers and $21,656 for Gen Zers. 
  • Student loan debt is most common among younger generations, but Gen X borrowers carry the biggest balances. Nearly 32.0% of Gen Zers and millennials across the 50 largest metros have student debt, compared with 20.0% of Gen Xers. But the typical Gen X borrower owes $37,939 — more than twice the $16,592 median among Gen Z borrowers. Gen Xers in Richmond, Va., have the highest median balance at $51,097.
  • Baby boomers have the highest personal loan balances despite being the least likely to have them. Their median balance is $9,301, more than four times the $2,199 median among Gen Zers. Yet just 18.8% of baby boomers have personal loan debt, compared with 25.1% of Gen Zers, 29.9% of millennials and 29.7% of Gen Xers. 

Gen Xers owe the most overall

Across the 50 largest metros, the typical American carries $16,848 in non-mortgage debt. Gen Xers ages 46 to 61 shoulder the heaviest load by far, with a median balance of $24,723, followed by millennials ages 30 to 45 at $21,842.

Across the 50 largest metros, the typical American carries $16,848 in non-mortgage debt.

Gen Zers ages 18 to 29 ($11,854) and baby boomers ages 62 to 80 ($10,898) owe considerably less in comparison. Gen Xers also post the highest median non-mortgage debt in 45 of the 50 metros studied, with millennials taking the top spot in the remaining five.

Matt Schulz, LendingTree chief consumer finance analyst and author of “Ask Questions, Save Money, Make More: How to Take Control of Your Financial Life,” attributes this to the fact that Gen X is largely in a financial pressure cooker. 

“Many are supporting children, helping aging parents and managing the high costs that come with being in their peak spending years,” he says. “That can mean bigger car payments, credit card balances and other debts hitting at once. Millennials face plenty of pressure, too, but theirs may look different. Student loans, high housing costs and the expenses of starting families can make it difficult to build financial momentum. Gen Xers, meanwhile, may earn more but have far more demands on those dollars. A bigger paycheck doesn’t necessarily mean more breathing room.”

Worth noting, Texas metros are so dominant that they claim 11 of the 20 top-five debt rankings across all four generations combined. We’ll break it down more below. 

How Gen Z debt breaks down

Gen Zers in Virginia Beach, Va., have the highest median non-mortgage debt of any metro for their generation, owing $17,918. Across the 50 largest metros overall, Gen Zers owe just $11,854 — the second-lowest of any generation. With 94.1% carrying non-mortgage debt, they’re also the least likely generation to have debt. 

Gen Zers are also the least likely to carry credit card debt, with 72.1% holding a balance — the lowest share of any generation. The median credit card debt among this age group in the 50 largest metros is $1,827. Four of the five metros where Gen Zers have the highest median credit card debt are in the West, led by San Diego at $2,391.

Where Gen Zers have the highest median credit card debt

RankMetroMedian balance% with debt
1San Diego, CA$2,39186.0%
2Denver, CO$2,34279.8%
3San Jose, CA$2,29985.3%
4New York, NY$2,29181.3%
5Seattle, WA$2,29082.4%
Source: LendingTree analysis of anonymized credit reports from users in the 50 largest U.S. metros. Notes: By-type median balance data excludes users without that debt. 

On the auto loan side, San Antonio Gen Zers carry the highest median balance among their peers, at $21,656. Notably, San Antonio is in the top two auto loan rankings across all generations. Overall, though, Gen Zers are the second least likely age group to carry auto loan debt, at just 37.2%. 

Where Gen Zers have the highest median auto loan debt

RankMetroMedian balance% with debt
1San Antonio, TX$21,65642.2%
2Memphis, TN$21,61030.5%
3Dallas, TX$21,58636.7%
4Oklahoma City, OK$21,55841.9%
5Austin, TX$21,51745.0%
Source: LendingTree analysis of anonymized credit reports from users in the 50 largest U.S. metros. Notes: By-type median balance data excludes users without that debt.

Student loan debt is especially common among Gen Zers, with 31.5% carrying a balance — only slightly behind millennials, who have the highest rate of any generation. Even so, their typical balance is comparatively modest at $16,592, well below what older borrowers owe. Gen Zers in Pittsburgh have the highest student loan debt, with a median balance of $24,335.

Where Gen Zers have the highest median student loan debt

RankMetroMedian balance% with debt
1Pittsburgh, PA$24,33544.1%
2Washington, DC$23,20538.4%
3Boston, MA$21,04939.9%
4Chicago, IL$20,70134.4%
5Charlotte, NC$20,63430.9%
Source: LendingTree analysis of anonymized credit reports from users in the 50 largest U.S. metros. Notes: By-type median balance data excludes users without that debt.

Gen Zers also carry the smallest personal loan balances of any generation, with a median of just $2,199. Just a quarter (25.1%) of Gen Zers carry a personal loan balance — the second-lowest by age group. 

Where Gen Zers have the highest personal loan debt

RankMetroMedian balance% with debt
1San Jose, CA$4,07113.5%
2Salt Lake City, UT$3,95026.6%
3Denver, CO$3,35622.6%
4Pittsburgh, PA$3,27427.6%
5Boston, MA$3,17017.5%
Source: LendingTree analysis of anonymized credit reports from users in the 50 largest U.S. metros. Notes: By-type median balance data excludes users without that debt.

How millennial debt breaks down

Across the 50 largest metros, millennials carrying non-mortgage debt owe a median of $21,842 — the second-highest by generation — with 96.0% carrying a balance. That figure climbs to $28,028 in Houston, which ranks first among millennials nationwide. Three of the top five metros for millennials with debt are in Texas. 

When it comes to credit card debt, millennials have the second-lowest balance and rate of consumers carrying a balance, with 79.1% of millennials in the 50 largest metros carrying a median balance of $3,899. Millennials in Denver have the highest balance, at a median of $4,976.

Where millennials have the highest median credit card debt

RankMetroMedian balance% with debt
1Denver, CO$4,97684.9%
2Austin, TX$4,82984.9%
3Miami, FL$4,65283.4%
4Boston, MA$4,59387.2%
5San Diego, CA$4,55486.6%
Source: LendingTree analysis of anonymized credit reports from users in the 50 largest U.S. metros. Notes: By-type median balance data excludes users without that debt.

Millennials have the second-highest auto loan debt, with $21,258 carried across 45.7% of this age group. As with most other generations, San Antonio also ranks first, with a median balance of $26,257 there. 

Where millennials have the highest median auto loan debt

RankMetroMedian balance% with debt
1San Antonio, TX$26,25749.5%
2Oklahoma City, OK$24,63049.3%
3Houston, TX$24,60650.6%
4Dallas, TX$24,38648.3%
5Riverside, CA$24,29149.0%
Source: LendingTree analysis of anonymized credit reports from users in the 50 largest U.S. metros. Notes: By-type median balance data excludes users without that debt.

Like Gen Zers, millennials have a high rate of student loan debt, with a slightly higher 31.7% carrying student loans. However, with a median balance of $29,679, millennials have the second-lowest student loan burden. Millennials in Washington, D.C., carry the highest student loan debt, at a median of $40,942. 

Where millennials have the highest median student loan debt

RankMetroMedian balance% with debt
1Washington, DC$40,94233.8%
2Atlanta, GA$38,95035.9%
3Birmingham, AL$38,28231.7%
4Memphis, TN$36,79437.9%
5Charlotte, NC$35,08233.8%
Source: LendingTree analysis of anonymized credit reports from users in the 50 largest U.S. metros. Notes: By-type median balance data excludes users without that debt. 

When it comes to personal loan debt, millennials again rank just above Gen Zers as the age group with the second-lowest median balance. Millennials carry a median balance of $5,084, with 29.9% having personal loan debt. That figure is highest in Seattle, with millennials there carrying a median balance of $9,117. 

Where millennials have the highest median personal loan debt

RankMetroMedian balance% with debt
1Seattle, WA$9,11722.5%
2Denver, CO$8,16426.7%
3Boston, MA$7,92628.0%
4Minneapolis, MN$7,48826.8%
5San Jose, CA$6,85919.2%
Source: LendingTree analysis of anonymized credit reports from users in the 50 largest U.S. metros. Notes: By-type median balance data excludes users without that debt.

How Gen X debt breaks down

Gen Xers in Houston have the highest non-mortgage debt of any generation in any metro, with a median balance of $35,179. Notably, the three highest median non-mortgage balances anywhere in our research all belong to Gen Xers in Texas: Beyond Houston, Gen Xers in San Antonio carry $32,624 in debt, and Gen Xers in Austin carry $32,408.

Gen Xers also carry the highest credit card balances of any generation, at a median of $6,124, even though baby boomers are more likely to hold a card balance at all. That figure peaks in San Diego, where Gen X cardholders owe a median of $7,931 — the highest credit card balance recorded for any generation in any metro in our research.

Schulz highlights that older consumers have had more time to open and use credit cards, so it isn’t surprising that card debt becomes more common with age. 

“Gen X’s larger balances may be more about life stage,” he says. “This generation can face a costly combination of raising kids, caring for parents and paying for everyday expenses that have gotten much more expensive. Credit cards can become the bridge when income doesn’t quite cover it all. Unfortunately, today’s high interest rates can make that bridge extremely expensive, turning even a manageable balance into stubborn, long-term debt.”

Where Gen Xers have the highest median credit card debt

RankMetroMedian balance% with debt
1San Diego, CA$7,93190.8%
2Denver, CO$7,68989.7%
3Miami, FL$7,58890.7%
4Austin, TX$7,45289.7%
5San Francisco, CA$7,36592.4%
Source: LendingTree analysis of anonymized credit reports from users in the 50 largest U.S. metros. Notes: By-type median balance data excludes users without that debt.

Nearly half of Gen Xers (48.1%) carry auto loan debt, the highest share of any generation, with a median balance of $23,254. Houston-based Gen Xers owe the most toward auto loans, with a median balance of $29,464.

Where Gen Xers have the highest median auto loan debt

RankMetroMedian balance% with debt
1Houston, TX$29,46452.6%
2San Antonio, TX$28,84054.3%
3Dallas, TX$27,44352.1%
4Memphis, TN$27,12548.8%
5Austin, TX$26,65953.4%
Source: LendingTree analysis of anonymized credit reports from users in the 50 largest U.S. metros. Notes: By-type median balance data excludes users without that debt.

While Gen Xers are the second least likely generation to carry student loan debt, at just 20.0%, they owe far more than anyone else when they do: a median of $37,939 — more than twice the $16,592 median among Gen Z borrowers. That figure climbs highest in Richmond, Va., where Gen X student loan borrowers owe a median of $51,097.

Where Gen Xers have the highest median student loan debt

RankMetroMedian balance% with debt
1Richmond, VA$51,09721.7%
2Atlanta, GA$48,64325.0%
3Birmingham, AL$48,29621.4%
4Washington, DC$48,10320.1%
5Baltimore, MD$46,07921.9%
Source: LendingTree analysis of anonymized credit reports from users in the 50 largest U.S. metros. Notes: By-type median balance data excludes users without that debt. 

When it comes to personal loan debt, 29.7% of Gen Xers carry a balance, at a median of $9,006 — second in both, though to different age groups (with millennials the most likely to carry personal loan debt and baby boomers carrying the highest balance). That figure’s highest in San Francisco, where Gen Xers carry a median balance of $13,701. 

Where Gen Xers have the highest median personal loan debt

RankMetroMedian balance% with debt
1San Francisco, CA$13,70120.8%
2Minneapolis, MN$12,33627.0%
3Seattle, WA$11,89421.6%
4Denver, CO$11,61924.8%
5Portland, OR$11,52326.2%
Source: LendingTree analysis of anonymized credit reports from users in the 50 largest U.S. metros. Notes: By-type median balance data excludes users without that debt. 

How baby boomer debt breaks down

San Antonio baby boomers carry the highest median non-mortgage debt among their generation, at $19,336. Across the 50 largest metros, baby boomers owe a median of just $10,898 — the lowest of any generation.

Baby boomers are the generation most likely to carry credit card debt, with 91.9% holding a balance. Despite that high rate of ownership, their median balance of $4,492 doesn’t run as high as Gen Xers’. Credit card debt among baby boomers is highest in Miami, where they carry a median of $6,505 in credit card debt. 

Where baby boomers have the highest median credit card debt

RankMetroMedian balance% with debt
1Miami, FL$6,50593.2%
2Houston, TX$6,03491.3%
3Austin, TX$5,96892.2%
4Riverside, CA$5,81290.6%
5Jacksonville, FL$5,53992.0%
Source: LendingTree analysis of anonymized credit reports from users in the 50 largest U.S. metros. Notes: By-type median balance data excludes users without that debt. 

When it comes to auto loans, baby boomers are the least likely to carry debt, at 34.6%. They also have the second-lowest balance, at $19,467. As with most other generations, that balance is highest in San Antonio, at $25,968. 

Where baby boomers have the highest median auto loan debt

RankMetroMedian balance% with debt
1San Antonio, TX$25,96843.2%
2Houston, TX$24,51339.0%
3Dallas, TX$23,04338.8%
4Nashville, TN$22,71434.4%
5Birmingham, AL$22,63537.4%
Source: LendingTree analysis of anonymized credit reports from users in the 50 largest U.S. metros. Notes: By-type median balance data excludes users without that debt.

Unsurprisingly, just 6.9% of baby boomers carry student loan debt (the lowest across all generations), though their balance is second-highest at $32,321. That rises to a whopping $47,691 in Columbus, Ohio. 

Where baby boomers have the highest median student loan debt

RankMetroMedian balance% with debt
1Columbus, OH$47,6918.2%
2Portland, OR$46,2996.0%
3Virginia Beach, VA$45,1109.0%
4Washington, DC$43,7399.2%
5Tampa, FL$43,5426.5%
Source: LendingTree analysis of anonymized credit reports from users in the 50 largest U.S. metros. Notes: By-type median balance data excludes users without that debt. 

Turning to personal loans, baby boomers are the least likely generation to carry one, at just 18.8% — well below millennials and Gen Xers. Yet baby boomers who do carry a personal loan owe far more than anyone else, with a median balance of $9,301 — more than four times the $2,199 median among Gen Zers. That balance is highest in Fresno, Calif., at $14,597. 

Schulz says older borrowers may turn to personal loans to consolidate credit card debt, cover major home repairs or medical bills, or help family members. 

“For retirees living on fixed incomes, one large unexpected expense can be especially difficult to absorb,” he says. “A personal loan can offer predictable payments, but borrowers need to look beyond the monthly bill. Compare the interest rate, fees, loan term and total repayment cost. Most importantly, make sure the payment fits comfortably in the budget. Taking on a new loan without addressing the financial pressure behind it can simply move the debt around.”

Where baby boomers have the highest median personal loan debt

RankMetroMedian balance% with debt
1Fresno, CA$14,59730.3%
2Seattle, WA$13,19514.3%
3San Diego, CA$12,33517.6%
4Baltimore, MD$12,06920.5%
5Portland, OR$12,01114.9%
Source: LendingTree analysis of anonymized credit reports from users in the 50 largest U.S. metros. Notes: By-type median balance data excludes users without that debt. 

Full rankings: Where Gen Zers carry the most non-mortgage debt

RankMetroMedian non-mortgage debt% with non-mortgage debtMedian credit card debt% with credit card debtMedian auto loan debt% with auto loan debtMedian student loan debt% with student loan debtMedian personal loan debt% with personal loan debt
1Virginia Beach, VA$17,91892.6%$2,13567.6%$19,76146.0%$19,86634.1%$2,11635.7%
2Buffalo, NY$17,17093.3%$1,53669.1%$17,20535.6%$18,94144.4%$2,67823.0%
3Pittsburgh, PA$16,73395.8%$1,93870.0%$16,34239.6%$24,33544.1%$3,27427.6%
4Austin, TX$16,73297.4%$2,28778.9%$21,51745.0%$16,55931.7%$3,01229.0%
5Grand Rapids, MI$16,15091.8%$1,98669.4%$16,35141.5%$17,27737.2%$2,20027.9%
6San Antonio, TX$14,64994.4%$1,74970.1%$21,65642.2%$15,97130.8%$1,61634.7%
7Riverside, CA$13,80094.1%$2,11076.2%$19,49841.3%$11,68127.0%$3,09735.4%
8Nashville, TN$13,73796.4%$1,92666.1%$18,13837.9%$18,22631.2%$1,97436.9%
9Phoenix, AZ$13,61594.6%$1,84071.1%$20,48841.5%$12,63328.6%$2,43030.5%
10Providence, RI$13,40493.3%$2,04874.6%$16,50436.5%$18,38339.9%$2,53225.6%
11Richmond, VA$13,33093.6%$1,63665.9%$15,66336.3%$17,49637.5%$2,40525.8%
12Miami, FL$13,32593.5%$2,09378.1%$20,37238.7%$16,00728.3%$1,76524.5%
13Tampa, FL$13,31593.5%$2,03073.0%$19,37441.9%$13,96129.7%$1,60926.6%
14Raleigh, NC$13,27494.3%$1,99572.1%$19,78839.1%$20,36637.2%$1,75619.7%
15Denver, CO$13,19695.5%$2,34279.8%$17,25341.3%$17,00230.9%$3,35622.6%
16Houston, TX$13,18595.3%$1,84072.3%$21,28138.5%$15,36430.3%$1,51928.3%
17Jacksonville, FL$13,15094.4%$1,52870.2%$20,57043.7%$14,63627.4%$1,73128.1%
18Washington, DC$12,77994.2%$2,10978.4%$18,93026.3%$23,20538.4%$2,15619.2%
19Charlotte, NC$12,73593.8%$1,51872.1%$17,92939.9%$20,63430.9%$2,35227.8%
20Cincinnati, OH$12,63794.3%$1,55766.0%$17,08938.5%$16,26335.0%$1,94025.4%
21Birmingham, AL$12,35192.8%$1,35363.0%$20,55238.2%$16,75333.9%$1,72230.2%
22Oklahoma City, OK$12,26195.0%$1,44668.8%$21,55841.9%$14,08927.6%$1,48031.7%
23Orlando, FL$12,10594.3%$1,81573.6%$19,02939.4%$15,97928.8%$1,49126.1%
24Dallas, TX$12,00294.9%$1,99871.0%$21,58636.7%$15,61328.8%$1,49225.8%
25Philadelphia, PA$11,86193.4%$1,64572.1%$17,09330.1%$20,36039.9%$1,67023.5%
26Columbus, OH$11,84693.9%$1,74069.4%$16,37538.6%$16,90133.0%$3,09124.6%
27Atlanta, GA$11,75994.0%$1,65771.1%$19,82233.5%$17,19137.1%$1,42022.8%
27Cleveland, OH$11,75992.9%$1,33666.2%$17,83538.7%$16,62434.1%$2,28222.2%
29Boston, MA$11,71195.5%$1,95880.9%$15,72129.8%$21,04939.9%$3,17017.5%
30Las Vegas, NV$11,53193.2%$2,05274.4%$20,87237.4%$14,52425.2%$1,66024.1%
31Minneapolis, MN$11,31694.7%$1,53980.3%$17,08233.7%$19,73938.1%$2,66321.3%
32Chicago, IL$11,18793.1%$2,09074.7%$18,96230.4%$20,70134.4%$2,01226.2%
33Baltimore, MD$11,16393.3%$1,70471.6%$17,51035.3%$19,89934.5%$1,49119.2%
34Louisville, KY$10,98394.4%$1,26766.8%$18,02736.4%$17,75233.6%$2,38330.6%
35Portland, OR$10,65395.1%$1,78576.9%$16,38332.9%$15,00532.6%$2,54024.0%
36Fresno, CA$10,49494.1%$1,33074.9%$19,17237.4%$14,33223.7%$2,76133.3%
37Salt Lake City, UT$10,44294.0%$1,70578.5%$14,73942.7%$14,81619.4%$3,95026.6%
38Indianapolis, IN$10,27394.1%$1,46167.1%$17,19139.9%$13,41129.1%$1,34524.1%
39Detroit, MI$10,03192.1%$1,56967.7%$15,50535.2%$16,49534.9%$1,40625.1%
40Los Angeles, CA$9,92495.0%$1,94680.9%$18,90132.9%$15,30927.4%$2,47125.1%
41Sacramento, CA$9,87094.8%$1,86976.0%$15,91935.1%$12,86626.6%$1,96424.2%
42Kansas City, MO$9,86392.3%$1,63368.9%$16,77936.8%$13,72628.5%$2,44624.7%
43St. Louis, MO$9,19291.9%$1,24563.9%$16,31636.9%$17,25831.1%$1,55020.9%
44San Diego, CA$9,08495.2%$2,39186.0%$18,44933.0%$11,37724.7%$2,40725.0%
45Memphis, TN$9,06292.1%$1,36451.3%$21,61030.5%$16,07435.7%$86932.1%
46Milwaukee, WI$8,63190.7%$1,08566.4%$17,62332.9%$18,19334.3%$2,19722.9%
47New York, NY$7,65894.2%$2,29181.3%$18,08418.8%$19,90332.8%$2,26220.5%
48Seattle, WA$7,64094.1%$2,29082.4%$18,91831.5%$15,40124.3%$3,00418.9%
49San Francisco, CA$5,48294.8%$2,10885.6%$19,58923.0%$18,08021.9%$2,38020.7%
50San Jose, CA$5,27695.3%$2,29985.3%$17,49527.8%$16,30316.7%$4,07113.5%
Source: LendingTree analysis of anonymized credit reports from users in the 50 largest U.S. metros. Notes: By-type median balance data excludes users without that debt. 

Full rankings: Where millennials carry the most non-mortgage debt

RankMetroMedian non-mortgage debt% with non-mortgage debtMedian credit card debt% with credit card debtMedian auto loan debt% with auto loan debtMedian student loan debt% with student loan debtMedian personal loan debt% with personal loan debt
1Houston, TX$28,02896.4%$4,01379.1%$24,60650.6%$32,79631.3%$4,10835.0%
2Tampa, FL$27,96697.1%$4,00780.9%$23,89851.1%$30,65631.3%$5,58935.0%
3Austin, TX$26,65397.4%$4,82984.9%$23,90650.1%$32,52428.3%$5,81731.5%
4San Antonio, TX$26,64896.7%$3,86774.6%$26,25749.5%$24,60930.6%$4,51738.8%
5Oklahoma City, OK$26,55896.1%$3,74374.5%$24,63049.3%$28,93632.6%$5,15235.9%
6Dallas, TX$25,66896.5%$3,97279.8%$24,38648.3%$29,12430.2%$3,90833.1%
7Pittsburgh, PA$25,51596.2%$3,93678.3%$20,15349.7%$30,41433.9%$5,61333.7%
8Baltimore, MD$24,99995.8%$3,58781.0%$22,04447.5%$34,62432.9%$4,87729.0%
9Miami, FL$24,97195.9%$4,65283.4%$22,24449.7%$30,74728.0%$4,86831.5%
10Virginia Beach, VA$24,89396.0%$3,91276.4%$21,25946.9%$26,93833.7%$5,08339.0%
11Riverside, CA$24,71296.3%$4,10379.0%$24,29149.0%$25,46126.3%$5,54037.9%
12Charlotte, NC$24,70395.7%$3,56378.1%$21,51849.5%$35,08233.8%$4,57731.9%
13Jacksonville, FL$24,57295.6%$3,72176.7%$22,48150.6%$27,38932.1%$4,66231.0%
14Orlando, FL$24,37295.9%$3,81280.5%$22,53650.0%$29,48930.3%$3,92131.7%
15Atlanta, GA$24,33796.1%$3,85278.6%$24,07642.1%$38,95035.9%$4,18329.6%
16Fresno, CA$24,04896.8%$3,57777.3%$22,03145.5%$21,28729.8%$6,73739.0%
17Cleveland, OH$23,84895.3%$3,06677.9%$19,54748.9%$33,66135.9%$5,01428.6%
18Memphis, TN$23,80795.8%$2,64762.5%$22,40544.8%$36,79437.9%$3,09641.6%
19Phoenix, AZ$23,69395.6%$3,92778.1%$23,36847.1%$27,07829.8%$5,08533.7%
20Raleigh, NC$23,53796.7%$3,50283.5%$22,11547.9%$33,23233.2%$5,59829.2%
21Denver, CO$23,18197.0%$4,97684.9%$20,53345.9%$27,31531.7%$8,16426.7%
22Minneapolis, MN$22,66796.6%$4,06885.5%$20,73443.7%$30,34035.1%$7,48826.8%
23Indianapolis, IN$22,55996.4%$3,67078.3%$20,32148.4%$32,53633.1%$4,70130.3%
24Providence, RI$21,95297.0%$4,47483.4%$17,85945.1%$26,53832.5%$5,58233.2%
25Nashville, TN$21,91497.4%$3,88677.1%$22,74043.8%$29,86828.9%$4,06438.0%
26Sacramento, CA$21,77195.6%$4,48282.6%$22,30744.7%$26,62427.7%$5,96929.2%
27Detroit, MI$21,74295.8%$3,42777.9%$17,59748.9%$30,48636.5%$3,93429.8%
28Buffalo, NY$21,63796.0%$3,44776.8%$19,65449.7%$28,59536.3%$3,67128.1%
29Birmingham, AL$21,52594.7%$3,39771.5%$22,58047.1%$38,28231.7%$3,51335.5%
30San Diego, CA$21,50196.6%$4,55486.6%$21,54943.8%$28,29325.1%$6,69129.9%
31Philadelphia, PA$21,49496.0%$3,65681.5%$19,81043.2%$32,67334.2%$4,88829.7%
32Washington, DC$21,43196.3%$4,38784.2%$20,96537.6%$40,94233.8%$5,72424.8%
33Las Vegas, NV$21,24494.6%$3,50478.9%$24,25244.4%$27,65728.3%$3,94131.6%
34Boston, MA$21,14896.6%$4,59387.2%$19,43844.3%$28,67229.1%$7,92628.0%
35Columbus, OH$21,14495.5%$3,87079.2%$18,65647.1%$30,91234.8%$5,46127.2%
36St. Louis, MO$21,09995.9%$3,46575.1%$19,27445.8%$28,05533.7%$3,75530.7%
37Richmond, VA$20,67094.8%$3,93277.1%$21,16143.0%$33,05834.4%$5,78633.5%
38Portland, OR$20,49596.6%$3,81883.7%$19,38741.1%$30,02131.6%$6,70627.0%
39Chicago, IL$20,31995.4%$4,14482.1%$21,23840.5%$32,32330.8%$4,18327.8%
40Milwaukee, WI$20,29896.2%$3,02877.4%$19,03646.1%$29,25436.8%$4,09828.5%
41Louisville, KY$19,94594.8%$3,17370.9%$21,58841.9%$28,54731.9%$4,10135.2%
42Kansas City, MO$19,70395.8%$3,91279.0%$21,91945.4%$25,02528.1%$5,16328.4%
43Los Angeles, CA$19,22195.7%$4,48284.4%$21,00042.1%$27,36225.2%$5,09828.3%
44Cincinnati, OH$19,19895.6%$3,15675.5%$19,95144.4%$30,18834.1%$3,73826.7%
45Salt Lake City, UT$18,97095.1%$3,99782.0%$21,25745.0%$23,71422.5%$6,18429.6%
46Grand Rapids, MI$16,68394.5%$2,99477.5%$16,72544.6%$31,94326.8%$3,68226.6%
47Seattle, WA$16,03896.0%$4,20686.3%$21,22938.3%$25,56222.2%$9,11722.5%
48New York, NY$15,95296.0%$4,42685.7%$19,31431.7%$30,17927.5%$5,43427.3%
49San Francisco, CA$12,54296.4%$4,25989.2%$19,57234.8%$26,81218.2%$6,70921.3%
50San Jose, CA$10,67795.8%$4,03189.7%$20,16438.0%$20,07212.7%$6,85919.2%
Source: LendingTree analysis of anonymized credit reports from users in the 50 largest U.S. metros. Notes: By-type median balance data excludes users without that debt. 

Full rankings: Where Gen Xers carry the most non-mortgage debt

RankMetroMedian non-mortgage debt% with non-mortgage debtMedian credit card debt% with credit card debtMedian auto loan debt% with auto loan debtMedian student loan debt% with student loan debtMedian personal loan debt% with personal loan debt
1Houston, TX$35,17997.5%$6,65086.1%$29,46452.6%$42,03022.9%$8,84635.7%
2San Antonio, TX$32,62496.6%$6,16681.1%$28,84054.3%$34,87320.0%$8,49939.7%
3Austin, TX$32,40897.6%$7,45289.7%$26,65953.4%$38,26918.4%$9,84131.4%
4Virginia Beach, VA$32,27297.8%$6,56884.9%$24,78852.4%$39,62024.8%$9,06138.7%
5Dallas, TX$31,74697.2%$6,66187.4%$27,44352.1%$37,77821.1%$8,85633.6%
6Tampa, FL$30,50196.9%$7,07486.9%$25,59953.6%$38,63018.8%$10,30631.5%
7Jacksonville, FL$30,40597.2%$6,75987.5%$25,48853.9%$35,24618.2%$8,80433.2%
8Riverside, CA$29,35096.3%$6,40586.0%$25,00550.1%$33,25919.4%$11,06837.8%
9Oklahoma City, OK$29,25296.0%$5,34780.3%$24,91851.5%$32,68822.4%$6,82735.7%
10Memphis, TN$29,01195.9%$4,15879.9%$27,12548.8%$40,76124.0%$7,15543.1%
11Atlanta, GA$28,70796.8%$7,25287.6%$25,24446.3%$48,64325.0%$8,50931.4%
12Miami, FL$28,67597.7%$7,58890.7%$23,62154.2%$38,63117.4%$8,36928.1%
13St. Louis, MO$27,52697.4%$5,97087.7%$25,07951.7%$40,46022.0%$8,18631.0%
14Baltimore, MD$27,35797.9%$6,65490.3%$23,28150.3%$46,07921.9%$9,72930.6%
15Orlando, FL$27,13897.1%$6,07988.5%$25,48452.4%$33,43218.2%$8,94632.8%
16Phoenix, AZ$27,02896.4%$6,90887.2%$24,93948.6%$35,23620.4%$11,14331.5%
17Charlotte, NC$26,61296.7%$6,03887.3%$23,62851.5%$38,16621.2%$8,69433.6%
18Indianapolis, IN$26,60197.1%$5,91184.4%$22,59649.7%$44,32124.5%$8,79529.5%
19Columbus, OH$25,64297.2%$5,96487.6%$22,54950.7%$36,48123.6%$9,75928.6%
20Las Vegas, NV$25,63096.2%$5,92586.7%$25,83646.2%$34,31718.3%$11,34531.4%
21Birmingham, AL$25,38396.4%$5,32181.9%$25,21650.6%$48,29621.4%$6,64636.7%
22Pittsburgh, PA$25,28197.2%$5,10686.6%$20,75653.1%$36,79621.0%$9,69132.3%
23Buffalo, NY$25,22496.7%$5,38887.0%$20,27554.7%$29,54623.3%$8,46430.5%
24Philadelphia, PA$25,02497.3%$6,09988.6%$21,89047.6%$41,88523.3%$9,26529.5%
25Nashville, TN$24,77898.4%$5,77081.6%$23,61548.6%$34,79019.0%$7,88238.4%
26Denver, CO$24,66796.9%$7,68989.7%$20,65147.2%$33,35418.2%$11,61924.8%
27Chicago, IL$24,60496.8%$6,90689.5%$23,20645.8%$39,70821.0%$8,50628.9%
28Cleveland, OH$24,28397.6%$5,30987.1%$20,07752.8%$34,82222.1%$8,23129.0%
29Richmond, VA$24,05898.0%$5,16087.5%$23,54745.4%$51,09721.7%$9,52737.8%
30Raleigh, NC$23,59797.8%$5,72889.3%$23,76446.9%$45,45820.1%$9,34530.1%
31Minneapolis, MN$22,97096.4%$5,73989.1%$20,93447.5%$35,72520.8%$12,33627.0%
32Los Angeles, CA$22,86996.8%$6,73789.7%$21,70744.2%$35,81615.9%$10,12427.4%
33Fresno, CA$22,63995.4%$4,37482.2%$23,60445.1%$29,92115.5%$8,79838.8%
34Boston, MA$22,61897.9%$7,15992.4%$20,16147.5%$41,94118.1%$11,17225.6%
35Washington, DC$22,53796.9%$6,38590.4%$24,16041.9%$48,10320.1%$11,06526.3%
36San Diego, CA$22,42397.2%$7,93190.8%$21,94144.9%$39,06513.9%$9,90728.9%
37Kansas City, MO$22,36596.1%$6,14887.6%$22,85945.7%$35,54818.5%$9,45226.4%
38Providence, RI$22,34097.4%$6,16589.0%$19,09648.9%$28,75317.8%$8,10329.5%
39Sacramento, CA$21,96997.3%$5,78288.5%$22,71346.1%$28,05416.2%$9,76029.5%
40Louisville, KY$21,47697.0%$4,69584.3%$21,69744.5%$42,73022.5%$7,65029.9%
41Detroit, MI$21,03297.1%$5,33987.3%$18,21451.8%$43,87220.8%$6,63829.1%
42Salt Lake City, UT$20,63795.3%$6,29487.1%$23,95545.2%$33,02014.6%$8,20728.1%
43Cincinnati, OH$20,12597.1%$5,36986.4%$22,70844.9%$36,53320.0%$7,03527.6%
44New York, NY$20,10996.8%$6,68790.6%$19,66139.5%$38,24617.9%$9,42726.7%
45Milwaukee, WI$19,64896.7%$5,55987.4%$20,39846.1%$39,29619.4%$8,62727.0%
46Seattle, WA$19,35697.0%$7,13890.5%$23,22641.3%$35,19015.0%$11,89421.6%
47Portland, OR$19,19697.2%$5,76290.2%$20,04841.2%$37,28617.4%$11,52326.2%
48Grand Rapids, MI$18,20893.8%$4,67481.2%$21,16844.2%$35,92519.5%$8,95128.4%
49San Francisco, CA$16,72897.1%$7,36592.4%$20,66637.4%$38,10012.7%$13,70120.8%
50San Jose, CA$14,29097.8%$6,56393.3%$21,31834.5%$42,96410.0%$10,77918.1%
Source: LendingTree analysis of anonymized credit reports from users in the 50 largest U.S. metros. Notes: By-type median balance data excludes users without that debt. 

Full rankings: Where baby boomers carry the most non-mortgage debt

RankMetroMedian non-mortgage debt% with non-mortgage debtMedian credit card debt% with credit card debtMedian auto loan debt% with auto loan debtMedian student loan debt% with student loan debtMedian personal loan debt% with personal loan debt
1San Antonio, TX$19,33697.6%$5,48988.0%$25,96843.2%$26,7866.7%$7,99432.9%
2Houston, TX$17,88597.3%$6,03491.3%$24,51339.0%$31,9837.9%$9,22726.4%
3Miami, FL$17,47297.3%$6,50593.2%$19,42144.0%$28,8666.5%$8,35718.7%
4Riverside, CA$17,30996.7%$5,81290.6%$19,83239.2%$31,5158.4%$9,53228.6%
5Dallas, TX$16,20597.1%$5,25689.7%$23,04338.8%$38,0048.4%$9,85924.1%
6Tampa, FL$15,42096.3%$4,97591.9%$20,82639.9%$43,5426.5%$10,21821.6%
7Fresno, CA$13,97095.9%$4,80787.7%$19,40336.5%S6.6%$14,59730.3%
8Atlanta, GA$13,88296.9%$5,30791.6%$22,35734.0%$30,1159.7%$9,27520.5%
9Jacksonville, FL$13,21496.6%$5,53992.0%$21,20934.1%$22,8807.4%$9,73721.4%
10Charlotte, NC$12,63697.3%$4,76092.1%$19,85436.3%$35,8377.5%$8,22320.6%
11Austin, TX$12,51296.9%$5,96892.2%$21,53135.2%S4.6%$10,52020.6%
12Orlando, FL$12,47296.3%$4,75992.7%$19,85736.2%$32,3216.1%$8,22221.4%
13Memphis, TN$12,40495.5%$4,32283.7%$22,39735.6%S8.0%$5,03928.1%
14Virginia Beach, VA$12,33197.5%$4,39091.3%$21,80035.2%$45,1109.0%$8,18725.1%
15Los Angeles, CA$12,02396.2%$5,49391.0%$19,32033.8%$36,0197.0%$9,52518.3%
16Phoenix, AZ$11,98696.3%$4,73990.6%$21,29532.9%$36,4237.3%$11,12919.6%
17Oklahoma City, OK$11,97996.2%$4,17888.5%$21,65637.4%S5.8%$8,37824.4%
18Las Vegas, NV$11,95796.4%$4,51091.3%$20,75332.9%$43,4086.4%$10,43425.2%
19Baltimore, MD$11,65697.3%$4,45992.0%$21,39034.7%$32,3807.9%$12,06920.5%
20Detroit, MI$11,54396.7%$4,04591.8%$15,24942.5%$22,3307.7%$7,31118.5%
21New York, NY$11,32296.8%$5,07793.1%$15,96033.3%$36,4178.9%$10,96717.5%
22Washington, DC$11,15597.1%$5,08593.1%$20,86631.7%$43,7399.2%$11,13818.9%
22San Diego, CA$11,15597.5%$5,02393.0%$18,23830.9%$29,2126.1%$12,33517.6%
24Nashville, TN$10,99995.1%$3,92786.7%$22,71434.4%S6.1%$7,55926.8%
25Pittsburgh, PA$10,94396.7%$4,02990.8%$17,40038.7%$32,6359.2%$8,04619.0%
26Birmingham, AL$10,85397.4%$3,49990.8%$22,63537.4%S6.6%$5,94225.0%
27Sacramento, CA$10,84395.4%$5,18890.5%$19,73132.6%$28,6286.2%$11,88421.3%
28Cleveland, OH$10,66796.8%$3,66291.4%$16,66937.0%$30,0118.2%$7,67718.4%
29Buffalo, NY$10,46796.6%$4,00091.4%$13,66043.4%$28,9807.0%$9,57216.6%
30Philadelphia, PA$10,33397.1%$4,25692.4%$17,19035.1%$35,6779.0%$8,72218.1%
31Raleigh, NC$10,26397.7%$4,52692.3%$18,99434.9%$29,2528.1%$10,53917.8%
32Richmond, VA$10,18597.0%$3,97892.2%$18,66031.5%S5.6%$8,04324.4%
33Providence, RI$9,76697.3%$4,35193.5%$16,25435.2%$30,2326.9%$9,44018.5%
34Chicago, IL$9,75696.7%$4,47592.6%$19,10731.5%$38,4239.1%$8,40417.1%
35Cincinnati, OH$9,72596.9%$4,13591.1%$19,22634.7%$24,6247.0%$7,76615.9%
36Boston, MA$9,71697.2%$4,96594.3%$17,19731.7%$36,9589.2%$9,55914.6%
37Indianapolis, IN$9,30196.6%$3,87591.6%$19,51237.0%$29,6626.6%$6,37818.6%
38St. Louis, MO$9,16897.6%$4,02792.6%$19,73332.5%$30,6187.9%$5,38319.2%
39Denver, CO$9,05296.6%$5,14492.6%$19,08927.0%$37,2906.5%$11,25914.8%
40Kansas City, MO$8,96097.6%$4,25291.9%$19,37230.4%$30,9586.9%$7,47116.8%
41Columbus, OH$8,83795.6%$3,75889.2%$17,77834.9%$47,6918.2%$9,30117.0%
42Portland, OR$8,22396.4%$4,15192.2%$17,03427.3%$46,2996.0%$12,01114.9%
43Seattle, WA$8,10296.2%$4,71093.3%$19,67526.3%$36,7254.8%$13,19514.3%
44Minneapolis, MN$7,83097.4%$4,08393.8%$17,71430.7%$22,9156.6%$10,07114.9%
45San Francisco, CA$7,65696.5%$4,87894.0%$18,09825.1%$35,8534.4%$10,11314.1%
46San Jose, CA$7,56996.6%$5,24293.5%$16,53523.1%S3.1%$10,54111.9%
47Salt Lake City, UT$7,46695.3%$4,28387.8%$19,68429.1%S4.6%$8,12517.6%
48Louisville, KY$7,35895.8%$3,45188.8%$17,26431.4%S5.9%$5,87620.1%
49Grand Rapids, MI$6,96597.8%$3,62594.4%$19,98328.9%S5.6%S16.3%
50Milwaukee, WI$6,19696.8%$3,39293.5%$16,86527.8%$23,2906.9%$8,33512.3%
Source: LendingTree analysis of anonymized credit reports from users in the 50 largest U.S. metros. Notes: By-type median balance data excludes users without that debt. S means the estimate was suppressed due to small sample size.

Managing debt: Top expert tips

Managing multiple debt types can be challenging and stressful, particularly if you owe a lot. To help whittle down your debt, we offer the following advice:

  • Create a budget. “You can’t make a meaningful plan for tackling debt without knowing how much is coming in and going out of your household each month,” Schulz says. “Once you understand those things, you can start making some hard decisions and prioritizing what matters, so you can, ideally, free up some cash to put toward those debts.”
  • Call your credit card issuers and ask for a lower rate. “It may feel awkward, but it works way more often than you’d imagine,” he says. “The worst that can happen is they say no, right?”
  • Consider a 0% balance transfer card or lower-rate debt consolidation loan. “You’ll need good credit to get the 0% card, but if you can, it might be the best weapon you can have in the fight against credit card debt,” he says. “Otherwise, a low-interest personal loan can be a great option.”

Methodology

Analysts used a sample of about 400,000 anonymized credit reports from LendingTree users who live in the 50 largest metropolitan statistical areas (“MSAs”) to calculate the following, aggregated by generation and MSA:

  • Median non-mortgage debt balance, including consumers with no non-mortgage debt
  • Percentage of consumers with any non-mortgage debt or debt of a specific type
  • Median balances among consumers with active balances for each specific debt type

The credit reports are from Jan. 1 through June 30, 2026. Non-mortgage debt includes credit cards, auto loans, personal loans, student loans and other debts. Debt-specific estimates based on small sample sizes were suppressed where applicable. For aggregate results across the 50 largest metros, analysts calculated the median of metro-level results for each generation. 

We defined generations based on the following age groups in 2026:

  • Generation Z: 18 to 29
  • Millennial: 30 to 45
  • Generation X: 46 to 61
  • Baby boomer: 62 to 80
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