Alaskans carry the highest credit card balance—here's the average credit card balance in every state

If you have credit card debt, you're not alone. On average, Americans carry $6,194 in credit card debt, according to the 2019 Experian Consumer Credit Review. And Alaskans have the highest credit card balance, on average $8,026.

Plus, U.S. credit card debt hit a record high of $930 billion in the final quarter of 2019, according to the latest data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Carrying a balance month to month can be costly, especially if it's on a high-interest credit card. But you don't have to struggle with debt forever. If you have good or excellent credit, you may qualify for a balance transfer credit card, like the Citi Simplicity® Card which offers 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer (after, 19.24% - 29.99% variable APR). Balance transfers must be completed within four months of account opening. You'll pay an introductory balance transfer fee of 3% ($5 minimum) for transfers completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

Below, Select shares the average credit card balance in every state from Experian's report along with some advice on how to get out of credit card debt with a balance transfer card.

• American's average credit card debt is $6,194
• Alaskans have the highest credit card balance, on average $8,026
• Iowans have the lowest credit card balance, on average $4,774

While the average credit card balance is $6,194, Americans living in certain states carry much more. Alaskans take the top spot with an average credit card balance of $8,026. Meanwhile, many states on the East Coast have balances above the national average.

1. Alaska: $8,026
2. New Jersey: $7,084
3. Connecticut: $7,082
4. District of Columbia: $7,077
5. Virginia: $6,969
6. Maryland: $6,946
7. Texas: $6,753
8. Hawaii: $6,673
9. Georgia: $6,569
10. New York: $6,491

The further you live from the coasts, the lower the average credit card balance, which is partially due to a lower cost of living. On average, Iowans have the lowest balance at $4,774.

1. Iowa: $4,774
2. Wisconsin: $4,961
3. Mississippi: $5,134
4. Kentucky: $5,140
5. West Virginia: $5,144
6. Idaho: $5,213
7. South Dakota: $5,235
8. Indiana: $5,254
9. North Dakota: $5,265
10. Arkansas: $5,327

A balance transfer is a smart way to ease the burden of paying off your credit card debt. Balance transfers can add up to substantial savings if you're carrying a balance on a high interest credit card, where a portion of your payment goes toward interest charges.

Balance transfer cards often have set limits on the amount of debt you can transfer, and you can't complete a transfer between cards issued from the same bank. Also make sure you read the fine print before requesting a transfer and consider any balance transfer fees.

If the average American with a $6,194 balance on their credit card pays $200 each month toward their debt, it will take them 42 months — more than three years — to pay off that debt. And they will spend $2,012 in additional interest, assuming an average 16.97% APR.

If you complete a balance transfer with promotional 0% APR period, you could save hundreds on interest. Keep in mind that most balance transfer credit cards have a one-time 3% fee.

Here is additional information on some popular balance transfer cards:

For rates and fees of the Discover it® Balance Transfer, click here.