You’re from Nevada: higher debt and a lower credit score

Nevadans bear higher debt burdens than the average American if a new survey is accurate.

However, Nevadans allowed their credit card debts to increase 7.3 percent between July and December 2009, compared to an 18 percent jump among consumers nationally, according to Credit Karma, a San Franscisco-based credit advisory service.

The company reported on Wednesday that a survey of its clients showed credit card debt for the average Nevadan climbed to $8,415 in December from $7,841 in July.

That pales against the 39 percent increase in credit card debt in Indiana, 32 percent in Oklahoma and 30 percent in Michigan and Pennsylvania.

"After several months of paying down credit card balances, many consumers (nationally) were forced to turn to credit cards toward the end of the year," Ken Lin, chief executive of Credit Karma, said in a statement.

The company expects consumers to "return to frugality early this year."

The average Nevadan already has a bigger debt load than the average American. The typical Silver State consumer owes $222,000 on home mortgage loans, 20 percent higher than $185,000 nationally.

Auto loan debt averaged $16,834 among Nevadans, 13 percent more than the average consumer, according to Credit Karma.

Credit card debt was 4 percent higher. Student loan debts averaged $25,000, 5 percent less than nationally.

Credit scores average 660 in Nevada, compared with 671 nationally. During the last part of 2009, credit scores increased for 37 percent of Nevadans and decreased for 29 percent, the company reported.

Contact reporter John G. Edwards at jedwards@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0420.