Alaskans carry the highest credit card balance—here's the average credit card balance in every state

https://secure.money.com/pr/m7c1a34159d2Discover cards are currently not available on CNBC Select and links have been redirected to our credit card marketplace where you can review offers from other issuers like American Express or Chase. You can also check out our list of best credit cards for alternative options.

If you have credit card debt, you're not alone. On average, Americans carry $6,194 in credit card debt, according to the 2019 Experian Consumer Credit Review. And Alaskans have the highest credit card balance, on average $8,026.

Plus, U.S. credit card debt hit a record high of $930 billion in the final quarter of 2019, according to the latest data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Carrying a balance month to month can be costly, especially if it's on a high-interest credit card. But you don't have to struggle with debt forever. If you have good or excellent credit, you may qualify for a balance transfer credit card, like the Citi Simplicity® Card which offers 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers (after, 17.49% - 28.24% variable APR) from date of account opening. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

Below, Select shares the average credit card balance in every state from Experian's report along with some advice on how to get out of credit card debt with a balance transfer card.

• American's average credit card debt is $6,194
• Alaskans have the highest credit card balance, on average $8,026
• Iowans have the lowest credit card balance, on average $4,774

While the average credit card balance is $6,194, Americans living in certain states carry much more. Alaskans take the top spot with an average credit card balance of $8,026. Meanwhile, many states on the East Coast have balances above the national average.

1. Alaska: $8,026
2. New Jersey: $7,084
3. Connecticut: $7,082
4. District of Columbia: $7,077
5. Virginia: $6,969
6. Maryland: $6,946
7. Texas: $6,753
8. Hawaii: $6,673
9. Georgia: $6,569
10. New York: $6,491

The further you live from the coasts, the lower the average credit card balance, which is partially due to a lower cost of living. On average, Iowans have the lowest balance at $4,774.

1. Iowa: $4,774
2. Wisconsin: $4,961
3. Mississippi: $5,134
4. Kentucky: $5,140
5. West Virginia: $5,144
6. Idaho: $5,213
7. South Dakota: $5,235
8. Indiana: $5,254
9. North Dakota: $5,265
10. Arkansas: $5,327

A balance transfer is a smart way to ease the burden of paying off your credit card debt. Balance transfers can add up to substantial savings if you're carrying a balance on a high interest credit card, where a portion of your payment goes toward interest charges.

Balance transfer cards often have set limits on the amount of debt you can transfer, and you can't complete a transfer between cards issued from the same bank. Also make sure you read the fine print before requesting a transfer and consider any balance transfer fees.

If the average American with a $6,194 balance on their credit card pays $200 each month toward their debt, it will take them 42 months — more than three years — to pay off that debt. And they will spend $2,012 in additional interest, assuming an average 16.97% APR.

If you complete a balance transfer with promotional 0% APR period, you could save hundreds on interest. Keep in mind that most balance transfer credit cards have a one-time 3% fee.

Here is additional information on some popular balance transfer cards:

For rates and fees of the Discover it® Balance Transfer, click here.