New Hampshire · New England
Debt consolidation in New Hampshire
Only 9.84% of card balances in New Hampshire are seriously late, one of the lowest rates of 51. Borrowers in good standing can shop harder for a low rate.
- $4,500
- card debt per adult, 19th of 51
- 9.84%
- of card balances 90+ days late (US 12.36%)
- +24.0%
- card debt growth since 2019 (US +28.3%)
What New Hampshire households owe
Card balances per adult are up 24.0% since 2019, slower than the national +28.3% (34th fastest of 51). Balances fell from $3,630 in 2019 to $3,210 in 2020, when spending dropped and stimulus paid down cards, then climbed back to $4,500 by 2025.
Card debt is the most expensive balance most households carry, which is why it is usually the first target for consolidation. In New Hampshire, cards, auto loans and student loans add up to $16,380 per adult, 6% above the national $15,470.
| Type | NH | US | NH change vs 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit cards | $4,500 | $4,350 | +3.2% |
| Auto loans | $5,930 | $5,660 | -2.8% |
| Student loans | $5,950 | $5,460 | +1.9% |
| Mortgages | $45,690 | $44,300 | +2.0% |
| All household debt | $66,480 | $63,200 | +1.4% |
Personal loan rules in New Hampshire
New Hampshire caps small loans of $10,000 or less at 36% APR. Small loan lenders must be licensed by the New Hampshire Banking Department.
- Small loans of $10,000 or less (other than payday and title loans): 36% APR; one application fee and one participation fee of up to $100 each per year may be excluded from the APR calculation (N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 399-A:16(I))
The National Consumer Law Center puts the highest APR allowed in New Hampshire at 36% on a $500, six-month loan and 36% on a $2,000, two-year loan (Predatory Installment Lending in the States: How Well Do the States Protect Consumers Against High-Cost Installment Loans?, NCLC, December 2025 (Maps 1 and 2)).
Non-bank lenders need a state license to make these loans. License: Small Loan Lender license (N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 399-A:2).
NCLC notes that § 399-A:15(XI) bars the excluded annual fees for closed-end credit, so they appear not to apply to typical installment loans.
Compare rate caps in every state. Checked 2026-09-30. Summary for general information, not legal advice. Laws change, and banks chartered in other states may follow different rules. Sources: RSA 399-A:16 Small Loans (NH General Court); NH Banking Department, Small Loan, Payday Loan, Title Loan Lenders; NCLC, Predatory Installment Lending in the States (2025), full report PDF (Maps 1 and 2, Appendix C); NCLC fact sheet, State APR Caps for $500, $2,000 and $10,000 Installment Loans (November 2024).
Using good standing to get a lower rate
With delinquency in New Hampshire at 9.84% against 12.36% nationally, many borrowers here have the payment history lenders reward. Compare at least three offers on APR, origination fee and term rather than monthly payment alone, and check whether a 0% balance transfer would clear your balance before the promo ends. How to compare loan offers.
What consolidating could save at NH numbers
Take the New Hampshire average of $4,500 and pay it off in 36 months. At a 24% card APR the payment is about $177 a month and the interest about $1,856. With a 12% consolidation loan the payment drops to about $149 and the interest to about $881, a difference of $975.
People who carry a balance usually owe more than the per-adult average. On $11,500 the same comparison is $4,742 of card interest against $2,251 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.
Your options in New Hampshire
- Debt consolidation loan: one fixed payment and end date, worth it when the APR is clearly below your card rates. How to compare offers.
- 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 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.
New Hampshire next to its neighbors
Among the 6 New England states, New Hampshire has the 3rd highest card debt per adult.
- Connecticut: $4,960 per adult, 10.53% 90+ days late
- Massachusetts: $4,650 per adult, 10.33% 90+ days late
- New Hampshire: $4,500 per adult, 9.84% 90+ days late
- Rhode Island: $4,490 per adult, 11.38% 90+ days late
- Vermont: $3,790 per adult, 8.99% 90+ days late
- Maine: $3,760 per adult, 9.83% 90+ days late
How many New Hampshire borrowers are behind
9.84% of credit card balances in New Hampshire were seriously delinquent (90+ days) at the end of 2025. That is 2.5 points below the national rate of 12.36%, placing New Hampshire 38th of 51 for card delinquency (1st is the highest). The rate rose 1.0 points in the past year, from 8.87% in 2024. In 2019 the share was 6.64%.
Auto loan delinquency in New Hampshire stood at 3.02% (US 5.18%), and student loan delinquency at 4.78% (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 New Hampshire
Non-bank consumer lenders in New Hampshire are licensed by the New Hampshire Banking Department. Before you accept an offer, look up the lender's license. To report a problem, contact the New Hampshire Department of Justice, Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau or file with the CFPB. Never pay upfront fees for debt relief.
New Hampshire debt consolidation FAQ
How much credit card debt does the average person in New Hampshire have?
$4,500 per adult with a credit file at the end of 2025, according to New York Fed Consumer Credit Panel/Equifax data. That is 3% above the US figure of $4,350 and ranks 19th of 51. The figure includes people with no card balance, so people who do carry a balance typically owe more.
Are more people in New Hampshire falling behind on credit cards?
9.84% of card balances in New Hampshire were 90 or more days past due in 2025, compared with 6.64% in 2019 (up 3.2 points). The national rate was 12.36%.
Can a consolidation loan lower what borrowers in New Hampshire pay in interest?
It can if the loan APR is well below your card APRs. On a $4,500 balance paid off over 36 months, a 24% card APR costs about $1,856 in interest and a 12% loan about $881. Rates depend on your credit and the lender, loans are not available in every state, and fees can shrink the savings.
What rate can a borrower in good standing in New Hampshire expect?
Rates depend mostly on your score, income and debt-to-income ratio, and state rules can cap what lenders charge. Borrowers with strong credit are offered the lowest APRs, so compare several lenders and look at the fee as well as the rate.
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.