What States Have the Highest Amount of Car Debt? Here Are the Top 10

Car shoppers are paying more than ever for new models, and as a result Americans are spending more of their discretionary income on their vehicles.

According to a new study released by Integra Credit, Americans are spending $5,680 per year, plus $517 in interest, on auto loans. That amount equates to 12.4% of the average American’s disposable income, according to the group.

National auto debt per capita has risen 92% since 2003, going from $2,960 in that year to $5,680 by the end of 2024, according to Integra.

The finding comes as the average price of a new car rose to $49,855 in July, according to Cox Automotive’s Kelley Blue Book. The average July price for new cars was up 0.2% from June’s average of $49,757, and it was also a 1.9% increase over July 2025’s average, according to the group.

“To keep up with the rising costs, America has resorted to relying more and more on financing options,” Integra said.

“Research shows that the average monthly payments for a new car are currently as high as $748 and overall loan amounts are reaching as high as $42,332 across a 69-month term for a new car,” the group continued. “As inflation continues to grow, questions remain over whether disposable income can keep pace with the affordability of both new and used vehicles.”

With that in mind, the USA TODAY Cars Team took a look at Integra’s ranking of the states with the highest amounts of auto debt.

States With the Highest Auto Debt

1. New MexicoAverage yearly car loan amount: $6,780Percentage of people with missed car loan payments: 5.5%Average percentage of disposable income: 17.3%

2. MississippiAverage yearly car loan amount: $6,470Percentage of people with missed car loan payments: 7.12%Average percentage of disposable income: 16.6%

3. LouisianaAverage yearly car loan amount: $6,890Percentage of people with missed car loan payments: 6.28%Average percentage of disposable income: 16.4%

4. TexasAverage yearly car loan amount: $7,920Percentage of people with missed car loan payments: 2.5%Average percentage of disposable income: 15.7%

5. ArkansasAverage yearly car loan amount: $6,330Percentage of people with missed car loan payments: 5.29%Average percentage of disposable income: 15.4%

6. West VirginiaAverage yearly car loan amount: $6,320Percentage of people with missed car loan payments: 4.77%Average percentage of disposable income: 15.1%

7. GeorgiaAverage yearly car loan amount: $6,530Percentage of people with missed car loan payments: 6.76%Average percentage of disposable income: 14.7%

8. OklahomaAverage yearly car loan amount: $6,270Percentage of people with missed car loan payments: 4.83%Average percentage of disposable income: 14.7%

9. AlabamaAverage yearly car loan amount: $6,220Percentage of people with missed car loan payments: 6.48%Average percentage of disposable income: 14.7%

10. South CarolinaAverage yearly car loan amount: $5,930Percentage of disposable income: 14.7%Percentage of people with missed car loan payments: 5.89%

Keith Laing is an automotive reporter on the National Trending Desk at USA TODAY. Contact Keith at [email protected].