17 States Where Mortgage Debt Hits the Average Household Hardest
Think your mortgage is bad? There are 17 U.S. states where the mortgage debt per household is more than $100,000, according to a new MoneyLion study. Additional key findings reveal there are 29 states, or more than half of America, where mortgage debt has exceeded $75,000 per household.
To find the states where mortgage debt is hitting households the hardest, MoneyLion studied each state’s average mortgage cost (calculated assuming a 10% down payment and 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 6.67%). The total cost of living was determined using the average mortgage and expenditure costs and utilized the 50/30/20 finance rule (putting 50% of household income towards needs, 30% towards wants and 20% towards savings and debt). We doubled the total cost of living for necessities to calculate the salary needed to comfortably live in each state.
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To find the total mortgage debt in every state, we calculated the mortgage debt per capita and total population. The mortgage debt per household was calculated using the total mortgage debt per state and the total households. We scored and weighted the average mortgage debt per capita (1.00) and average mortgage debt per household (1.00) to sum and sort the states by their scores and rank where mortgage debt hits households the hardest.
Key Findings
California homeowners are hit hardest by mortgage debt with an average $169,733 debt per household. However, California’s average monthly mortgage ($4,621) ranks second to Hawaii as the most expensive in America. (Hawaii takes first place at $5,660 per month.)
The average mortgage debt is $100,000+ in 17 U.S. states. Besides California, the remaining states and their household debts are Hawaii ($151,922), Utah ($148,368), Colorado ($147,145), Washington ($146,839), Maryland ($134,880), Massachusetts ($126,351), Virginia ($125,904), Nevada ($121,266), New Jersey ($116,011), Oregon ($112,047), Idaho ($110,328), Arizona ($109,764), Connecticut ($107,265), Delaware ($104,744), Alaska ($103,946) and New Hampshire ($103,322).
Only two states boast mortgage debt under $50,000 per household: Mississippi ($46,132) and West Virginia ($44,074).
The average monthly mortgage cost is $3,000+ in nine states. The most expensive states are Hawaii, California, Massachusetts ($4,019), Washington ($3,564), New Jersey ($3,499), Colorado ($3,201), Utah ($3,192), New Hampshire ($3,139) and Rhode Island ($3,054).
10 states have the most affordable monthly mortgage costs: Ohio ($1,471), Kansas ($1,458), Iowa ($1,418), Alabama ($1,384), Kentucky ($1,360), Arkansas ($1,306), Oklahoma ($1,302), Louisiana ($1,264), Mississippi ($1,133) and West Virginia ($1,033).
Here’s where mortgage debt hits households the hardest in America.
1. California
Average monthly mortgage cost: $4,621
Monthly cost of living: $6,994
Household income needed to afford living costs: $167,850
Mortgage debt per household: $169,733
Total statewide mortgage debt: $2,341,907,899,200
2. Colorado
Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,201
Monthly cost of living: $5,129
Household income needed to afford living costs: $123,104
Mortgage debt per household: $147,145
Total statewide mortgage debt: $364,904,569,800
3. Washington
Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,564
Monthly cost of living: $5,731
Household income needed to afford living costs: $137,543
Mortgage debt per household: $146,839
Total statewide mortgage debt: $465,197,875,200
4. Hawaii
Average monthly mortgage cost: $5,660
Monthly cost of living: $8,498
Household income needed to afford living costs: $203,948
Mortgage debt per household: $151,922
Total statewide mortgage debt: $74,920,597,200
5. Utah
Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,192
Monthly cost of living: $5,032
Household income needed to afford living costs: $120,771
Mortgage debt per household: $148,368
Total statewide mortgage debt: $175,731,285,000
6. Maryland
Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,602
Monthly cost of living: $4,670
Household income needed to afford living costs: $112,076
Mortgage debt per household: $134,880
Total statewide mortgage debt: $323,901,018,600
7. Massachusetts
Average monthly mortgage cost: $4,019
Monthly cost of living: $6,396
Household income needed to afford living costs: $153,497
Mortgage debt per household: $126,351
Total statewide mortgage debt: $357,548,208,000
8. Virginia
Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,469
Monthly cost of living: $4,420
Household income needed to afford living costs: $106,078
Mortgage debt per household: $125,904
Total statewide mortgage debt: $434,280,550,600
9. Nevada
Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,695
Monthly cost of living: $4,630
Household income needed to afford living costs: $111,119
Mortgage debt per household: $121,266
Total statewide mortgage debt: $150,239,180,800
10. Oregon
Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,955
Monthly cost of living: $5,117
Household income needed to afford living costs: $122,802
Mortgage debt per household: $112,047
Total statewide mortgage debt: $195,440,528,400
11. New Jersey
Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,499
Monthly cost of living: $5,540
Household income needed to afford living costs: $132,971
Mortgage debt per household: $116,011
Total statewide mortgage debt: $411,137,748,000
12. Arizona
Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,495
Monthly cost of living: $4,446
Household income needed to afford living costs: $106,693
Mortgage debt per household: $109,764
Total statewide mortgage debt: $327,367,712,000
13. Idaho
Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,789
Monthly cost of living: $4,698
Household income needed to afford living costs: $112,748
Mortgage debt per household: $110,328
Total statewide mortgage debt: $82,876,033,600
14. Alaska
Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,427
Monthly cost of living: $5,030
Household income needed to afford living costs: $120,714
Mortgage debt per household: $103,946
Total statewide mortgage debt: $28,485,824,600
15. Connecticut
Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,798
Monthly cost of living: $4,968
Household income needed to afford living costs: $119,231
Mortgage debt per household: $107,265
Total statewide mortgage debt: $156,096,134,800
16. Delaware
Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,373
Monthly cost of living: $4,341
Household income needed to afford living costs: $104,196
Mortgage debt per household: $104,744
Total statewide mortgage debt: $43,186,423,000
17. New Hampshire
Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,139
Monthly cost of living: $5,208
Household income needed to afford living costs: $124,985
Mortgage debt per household: $103,322
Total statewide mortgage debt: $58,964,772,600
18. Minnesota
Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,104
Monthly cost of living: $4,027
Household income needed to afford living costs: $96,649
Mortgage debt per household: $95,796
Total statewide mortgage debt: $226,408,852,000
19. Florida
Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,315
Monthly cost of living: $4,239
Household income needed to afford living costs: $101,732
Mortgage debt per household: $97,358
Total statewide mortgage debt: $890,015,360,000
20. Rhode Island
Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,054
Monthly cost of living: $5,133
Household income needed to afford living costs: $123,190
Mortgage debt per household: $88,737
Total statewide mortgage debt: $39,782,265,600
21. Georgia
Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,952
Monthly cost of living: $3,853
Household income needed to afford living costs: $92,480
Mortgage debt per household: $91,093
Total statewide mortgage debt: $384,480,004,800
22. New York
Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,926
Monthly cost of living: $4,996
Household income needed to afford living costs: $119,906
Mortgage debt per household: $87,875
Total statewide mortgage debt: $687,891,985,600
23. North Carolina
Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,972
Monthly cost of living: $3,904
Household income needed to afford living costs: $93,693
Mortgage debt per household: $86,765
Total statewide mortgage debt: $390,126,276,000
24. Montana
Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,770
Monthly cost of living: $4,686
Household income needed to afford living costs: $112,461
Mortgage debt per household: $83,943
Total statewide mortgage debt: $39,367,876,800
25. Texas
Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,756
Monthly cost of living: $3,636
Household income needed to afford living costs: $87,275
Mortgage debt per household: $87,229
Total statewide mortgage debt: $998,754,216,200
26. South Carolina
Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,797
Monthly cost of living: $3,679
Household income needed to afford living costs: $88,287
Mortgage debt per household: $85,069
Total statewide mortgage debt: $189,098,035,200
27. Wyoming
Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,144
Monthly cost of living: $4,031
Household income needed to afford living costs: $96,737
Mortgage debt per household: $79,870
Total statewide mortgage debt: $20,469,712,200
28. Tennessee
Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,954
Monthly cost of living: $3,708
Household income needed to afford living costs: $89,002
Mortgage debt per household: $81,372
Total statewide mortgage debt: $238,318,182,200
29. Illinois
Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,764
Monthly cost of living: $3,731
Household income needed to afford living costs: $89,545
Mortgage debt per household: $78,420
Total statewide mortgage debt: $400,369,118,800
30. Maine
Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,423
Monthly cost of living: $4,548
Household income needed to afford living costs: $109,140
Mortgage debt per household: $71,551
Total statewide mortgage debt: $44,020,446,000
31. South Dakota
Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,888
Monthly cost of living: $3,766
Household income needed to afford living costs: $90,391
Mortgage debt per household: $68,556
Total statewide mortgage debt: $26,209,249,200
32. Vermont
Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,370
Monthly cost of living: $4,477
Household income needed to afford living costs: $107,443
Mortgage debt per household: $68,097
Total statewide mortgage debt: $19,444,936,000
33. Wisconsin
Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,016
Monthly cost of living: $3,922
Household income needed to afford living costs: $94,117
Mortgage debt per household: $67,243
Total statewide mortgage debt: $170,474,130,000
34. Indiana
Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,518
Monthly cost of living: $3,429
Household income needed to afford living costs: $82,298
Mortgage debt per household: $69,002
Total statewide mortgage debt: $191,525,239,200
35. Missouri
Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,572
Monthly cost of living: $3,401
Household income needed to afford living costs: $81,617
Mortgage debt per household: $68,336
Total statewide mortgage debt: $175,162,504,000
36. Nebraska
Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,643
Monthly cost of living: $3,508
Household income needed to afford living costs: $84,187
Mortgage debt per household: $66,383
Total statewide mortgage debt: $54,699,983,600
37. North Dakota
Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,730
Monthly cost of living: $3,642
Household income needed to afford living costs: $87,405
Mortgage debt per household: $63,340
Total statewide mortgage debt: $22,150,405,200
38. Pennsylvania
Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,684
Monthly cost of living: $3,647
Household income needed to afford living costs: $87,535
Mortgage debt per household: $67,690
Total statewide mortgage debt: $362,932,672,400
39. New Mexico
Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,862
Monthly cost of living: $3,740
Household income needed to afford living costs: $89,756
Mortgage debt per household: $65,793
Total statewide mortgage debt: $56,383,043,200
40. Michigan
Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,547
Monthly cost of living: $3,438
Household income needed to afford living costs: $82,517
Mortgage debt per household: $65,068
Total statewide mortgage debt: $268,814,880,000
41. Iowa
Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,418
Monthly cost of living: $3,279
Household income needed to afford living costs: $78,693
Mortgage debt per household: $63,124
Total statewide mortgage debt: $84,802,760,000
42. Alabama
Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,384
Monthly cost of living: $3,215
Household income needed to afford living costs: $77,151
Mortgage debt per household: $63,729
Total statewide mortgage debt: $131,251,772,400
43. Kansas
Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,458
Monthly cost of living: $3,299
Household income needed to afford living costs: $79,188
Mortgage debt per household: $62,062
Total statewide mortgage debt: $74,745,838,800
44. Ohio
Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,471
Monthly cost of living: $3,381
Household income needed to afford living costs: $81,153
Mortgage debt per household: $60,914
Total statewide mortgage debt: $300,262,844,000
45. Louisiana
Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,264
Monthly cost of living: $3,082
Household income needed to afford living costs: $73,973
Mortgage debt per household: $59,559
Total statewide mortgage debt: $110,121,984,000
46. Oklahoma
Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,302
Monthly cost of living: $3,144
Household income needed to afford living costs: $75,453
Mortgage debt per household: $55,556
Total statewide mortgage debt: $89,097,320,000
47. Kentucky
Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,360
Monthly cost of living: $3,205
Household income needed to afford living costs: $76,929
Mortgage debt per household: $54,757
Total statewide mortgage debt: $102,147,206,400
48. Arkansas
Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,306
Monthly cost of living: $3,088
Household income needed to afford living costs: $74,102
Mortgage debt per household: $52,885
Total statewide mortgage debt: $65,934,330,000
49. Mississippi
Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,133
Monthly cost of living: $2,924
Household income needed to afford living costs: $70,186
Mortgage debt per household: $46,132
Total statewide mortgage debt: $54,283,129,200
50. West Virginia
Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,033
Monthly cost of living: $2,890
Household income needed to afford living costs: $69,349
Mortgage debt per household: $44,074
Total statewide mortgage debt: $32,652,101,600
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
Methodology: For this study, MoneyLion analyzed each U.S. state to find the states where the average household is getting hit by the average mortgage debt. For each state several factors were sourced including total population, total households, and median household income all sourced from the U.S. Census 2024 1-Year ACS. The cost-of-living indexes were sourced from Missouri Economic and Research Information Center and using the national average expenditure costs, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, the average expenditure costs are calculated for each state. The average single family home value was sourced from the Zillow Home Value Index. Assuming a 10% down payment and using the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 6.67%, as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data on August 21, 2026, the average mortgage cost was calculated for each state. Using the average mortgage and expenditure costs, the total cost of living was calculated for each state. Using the 50/30/20 finance rule that states that needs should be 50% of your household income, wants should be 30% of your household income, and savings and debt should be 20% of your household income, the total cost of living for necessities was doubled to calculate the salary needed to live comfortably. Each bracket of the 50/30/20 budget was calculated for each state. Sourced from the New York Fed, the mortgage debt per capita and total population were used to calculate the total mortgage debt per state. The total mortgage debt per state was used with the total households to calculate the mortgage debt per household. The average mortgage debt per capita was scored and weighted at 1.00, the average mortgage debt per household was scored and weighted at 1.00, and the scores were summed and sorted to show the states where the mortgage debt hits households the hardest. All data is up to date as of August 24, 2026.
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