Iowa ยท West North Central
Debt consolidation in Iowa
Iowa has some of the lowest card debt in the country: $3,250 per adult, 48th of 51. Smaller balances change which consolidation option makes sense.
- $3,250
- card debt per adult, 48th of 51
- 10.26%
- of card balances 90+ days late (US 12.36%)
- +22.6%
- card debt growth since 2019 (US +28.3%)
Iowa balances next to the US
Card balances per adult are up 22.6% since 2019, slower than the national +28.3% (42nd fastest of 51). Balances fell from $2,650 in 2019 to $2,370 in 2020, when spending dropped and stimulus paid down cards, then climbed back to $3,250 by 2025.
Lower card debt does not mean lower rates. A $3,250 balance at a typical card APR still costs hundreds a year in interest, and a smaller balance is often cheaper to clear with a 0% balance transfer than with a loan that carries an origination fee. In Iowa, cards, auto loans and student loans add up to $13,110 per adult, 15% below the national $15,470.
| Type | IA | US | IA change vs 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit cards | $3,250 | $4,350 | +2.5% |
| Auto loans | $5,130 | $5,660 | -1.2% |
| Student loans | $4,730 | $5,460 | -3.3% |
| Mortgages | $31,150 | $44,300 | +1.8% |
| All household debt | $47,410 | $63,200 | +1.1% |
Your options in Iowa
- Balance transfer card: a 0% introductory APR can beat a loan if you can clear the balance before the promo ends. Balance transfer vs personal loan.
- Debt consolidation loan: one fixed payment and end date, worth it when the APR is clearly below your card rates. How to compare offers.
- Debt management plan: a nonprofit credit counseling agency negotiates lower rates with your card issuers. Useful if you cannot qualify for a loan. DMP vs consolidation.
What consolidating could save at IA numbers
Take the Iowa average of $3,250 and pay it off in 36 months. At a 24% card APR the payment is about $128 a month and the interest about $1,340. With a 12% consolidation loan the payment drops to about $108 and the interest to about $636, a difference of $704.
People who carry a balance usually owe more than the per-adult average. On $8,000 the same comparison is $3,299 of card interest against $1,566 on the loan. These rates are examples, not offers. Your APR depends on your credit, income and the lender, and an origination fee reduces the savings. See what lenders look for.
Iowa next to its neighbors
Among the 7 West North Central states, Iowa has the lowest card debt per adult.
- Minnesota: $3,990 per adult, 8.55% 90+ days late
- North Dakota: $3,970 per adult, 9.02% 90+ days late
- Kansas: $3,670 per adult, 10.74% 90+ days late
- Nebraska: $3,650 per adult, 9.75% 90+ days late
- Missouri: $3,550 per adult, 11.35% 90+ days late
- South Dakota: $3,530 per adult, 9.14% 90+ days late
- Iowa: $3,250 per adult, 10.26% 90+ days late
How many Iowa borrowers are behind
10.26% of credit card balances in Iowa were seriously delinquent (90+ days) at the end of 2025. That is 2.1 points below the national rate of 12.36%, placing Iowa 35th of 51 for card delinquency (1st is the highest). The rate rose 0.7 points in the past year, from 9.58% in 2024. In 2019 the share was 6.98%.
Auto loan delinquency in Iowa stood at 3.53% (US 5.18%), and student loan delinquency at 6.62% (US 8.25%). If your payments are current, you are in a better position to qualify for a lower rate. If not, read our guide to consolidation loans with bad credit .
Checking a lender in Iowa
Non-bank consumer lenders in Iowa are licensed by the Iowa Division of Banking. Before you accept an offer, look up the lender's license. To report a problem, file with the Iowa Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division or the CFPB. Never pay upfront fees for debt relief.
Iowa debt consolidation FAQ
How much credit card debt does the average person in Iowa have?
$3,250 per adult with a credit file at the end of 2025, according to New York Fed Consumer Credit Panel/Equifax data. That is 25% below the US figure of $4,350 and ranks 48th of 51. The figure includes people with no card balance, so people who do carry a balance typically owe more.
Are more people in Iowa falling behind on credit cards?
10.26% of card balances in Iowa were 90 or more days past due in 2025, compared with 6.98% in 2019 (up 3.3 points). The national rate was 12.36%.
Can a consolidation loan lower what borrowers in Iowa pay in interest?
It can if the loan APR is well below your card APRs. On a $3,250 balance paid off over 36 months, a 24% card APR costs about $1,340 in interest and a 12% loan about $636. Rates depend on your credit and the lender, loans are not available in every state, and fees can shrink the savings.
Is a balance transfer better than a loan for a smaller Iowa balance?
Often, yes. If you can pay off the balance within a 0% promo period, a transfer fee of a few percent usually costs less than loan interest. A fixed-rate loan is the safer choice if you need longer than the promo period.
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York Consumer Credit Panel/Equifax, State Level Household Debt Statistics 2003-2025 (February 2026), Q4 figures per adult with a credit file. Ranks and changes computed by Smart Debt Relief across 50 states and DC. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Full state table and CSV.