Oregon · Pacific
Debt consolidation in Oregon
Only 9.49% of card balances in Oregon are seriously late, one of the lowest rates of 51. Borrowers in good standing can shop harder for a low rate.
- $4,030
- card debt per adult, 25th of 51
- 9.49%
- of card balances 90+ days late (US 12.36%)
- +25.9%
- card debt growth since 2019 (US +28.3%)
What Oregon households owe
Card balances per adult are up 25.9% since 2019, slower than the national +28.3% (28th fastest of 51). Balances fell from $3,200 in 2019 to $2,750 in 2020, when spending dropped and stimulus paid down cards, then climbed back to $4,030 by 2025.
Card debt is the most expensive balance most households carry, which is why it is usually the first target for consolidation. In Oregon, cards, auto loans and student loans add up to $13,990 per adult, 10% below the national $15,470.
| Type | OR | US | OR change vs 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit cards | $4,030 | $4,350 | +4.4% |
| Auto loans | $4,360 | $5,660 | +2.1% |
| Student loans | $5,600 | $5,460 | -0.2% |
| Mortgages | $52,060 | $44,300 | +2.9% |
| All household debt | $69,640 | $63,200 | +3.1% |
Personal loan rules in Oregon
Oregon caps consumer finance loans of $50,000 or less at 36% APR, including interest and fees. Lenders making these loans must hold a state consumer finance license.
- Licensed consumer finance loans of $50,000 or less: The greater of 36% APR or 30 percentage points above the Federal Reserve discount window primary credit rate (set annually) (Or. Rev. Stat. § 725.340)
The National Consumer Law Center puts the highest APR allowed in Oregon at 36% on a $500, six-month loan and 36% on a $2,000, two-year loan (State Annual Percentage Rate (APR) Caps For $500, $2,000 and $10,000 Installment Loans (NCLC fact sheet, December 2025; figures current as of September 2025)).
Non-bank lenders need a state license to make these loans. License: Consumer Finance license, issued by the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (Or. Rev. Stat. § 725.045).
The regulator says the license applies to loans of $50,000 or less with terms longer than 60 days. Loans made without a required license are void and the lender cannot collect principal, interest or fees.
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: ORS 725.340; ORS 725.045; Oregon Division of Financial Regulation, Consumer finance licensing; NCLC, State APR Caps for $500, $2,000 and $10,000 Installment Loans, December 2025.
Using good standing to get a lower rate
With delinquency in Oregon at 9.49% 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 OR numbers
Take the Oregon average of $4,030 and pay it off in 36 months. At a 24% card APR the payment is about $158 a month and the interest about $1,662. With a 12% consolidation loan the payment drops to about $134 and the interest to about $789, a difference of $873.
People who carry a balance usually owe more than the per-adult average. On $10,000 the same comparison is $4,124 of card interest against $1,957 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 Oregon
- 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.
Oregon next to its neighbors
Among the 5 Pacific states, Oregon has the lowest card debt per adult.
- Alaska: $5,250 per adult, 9.79% 90+ days late
- Hawaii: $5,220 per adult, 10.17% 90+ days late
- California: $5,000 per adult, 13.2% 90+ days late
- Washington: $4,640 per adult, 9.34% 90+ days late
- Oregon: $4,030 per adult, 9.49% 90+ days late
How many Oregon borrowers are behind
9.49% of credit card balances in Oregon were seriously delinquent (90+ days) at the end of 2025. That is 2.9 points below the national rate of 12.36%, placing Oregon 44th of 51 for card delinquency (1st is the highest). The rate rose 1.0 points in the past year, from 8.48% in 2024. In 2019 the share was 6.33%.
Auto loan delinquency in Oregon stood at 3.59% (US 5.18%), and student loan delinquency at 6.91% (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 Oregon
Non-bank consumer lenders in Oregon are licensed by the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR). Before you accept an offer, look up the lender's license. To report a problem, file with the Oregon Department of Justice, Consumer Protection Section or the CFPB. Never pay upfront fees for debt relief.
Oregon debt consolidation FAQ
How much credit card debt does the average person in Oregon have?
$4,030 per adult with a credit file at the end of 2025, according to New York Fed Consumer Credit Panel/Equifax data. That is 7% below the US figure of $4,350 and ranks 25th of 51. The figure includes people with no card balance, so people who do carry a balance typically owe more.
Are more people in Oregon falling behind on credit cards?
9.49% of card balances in Oregon were 90 or more days past due in 2025, compared with 6.33% in 2019 (up 3.2 points). The national rate was 12.36%.
Can a consolidation loan lower what borrowers in Oregon pay in interest?
It can if the loan APR is well below your card APRs. On a $4,030 balance paid off over 36 months, a 24% card APR costs about $1,662 in interest and a 12% loan about $789. 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 Oregon 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.