Total household debt in the US increased by $18 billion from the prior quarter to a new record high of $18.8 trillion in Q1 2026. Mortgage balances grew by $21 billion to $13.19 trillion, and auto loan balances increased by $18 billion to $1.69 trillion. Home equity line of credit (HELOC) balances increased by $12 billion to $446 billion, while student loan balances decreased by $6 billion to $1.66 trillion. Credit card balances fell by $25 billion to $1.25 trillion. "Aggregate household debt levels rose slightly, with modest increases in most debt types offsetting a seasonal decline in credit card balances,” said Daniel Mangrum, Research Economist at the New York Fed. “Delinquency transition rates were mostly steady, while student loan delinquencies are returning to pre-pandemic levels."