There may be more households in the mortgage belt facing escalating personal debt, but some living in Brisbane’s blue-chip suburbs are drowning in it.

Figures compiled by Debt Mediators showed there were more households in outer suburbs, including Beenleigh, Camira and Springfield Lakes, one month behind on personal loan and credit card repayments.

They had an average debt between $27,765.00 and $33,597.00.

There were far fewer residents in financial difficulty in Brisbane’s elite suburbs, but those who did have mounting debts owed, on average, in excess of $73,000.

The figures represented people who, unable to service their unsecured debt, had sought financial advice from Debt Mediators during 2009.

Ben Paris of Debt Mediators said more than 1000 people facing financial ruin – 44 per cent of whom lived in the mortgage belt – contacted the debt consolidation service each week.

“Generally, these people spend between five and 10 per cent more than they can afford to,” he said.

More than 15 per cent of borrowers at least one month behind on their personal loan and credit card repayments resided south of Brisbane and on the Gold Coast, in suburbs including Nerang, Labrador, Southport, Kingston, Woodridge and Palm Beach.

Although Mermaid Beach on the Gold Coast, home to some of the nation’s wealthiest, made the top 20 list of suburbs bearing the most personal debt, the average amount of unsecured debt there paled in comparison to that of Brisbane’s elite postcodes.

Residents in Milton, Paddington and Rosalie had an average $73,207.00 in personal debt, while Chelmer, Taringa and Indooroopilly residents were an average of $69,419.00 in the red.

Those in Brookfield, Fig Tree Pocket, Kenmore and Pullenvale had credit card and personal loan bills amounting to an average $57,990.00.

Calls for financial help from exclusive addresses accounted for 10 per cent of all inquiries to Debt Mediators last year.

Mr Paris said it was important to note the figures did not take into account mortgage debt, of which the national average was $300,000.00.

He said those living in mortgage belt suburbs were relying on credit cards to service everyday expenses including food, school excursions and clothes.

One unforeseen medical expense, an unexpected car repair bill, a reduction in overtime payments or a relationship breakdown was enough to push cash-poor people over the edge, Mr Paris said.

“When you’re in a situation where you can just service the minimum payment on your credit card and then your overtime gets cut – that’s it – it’s all over,” he said.

Mr Paris said the situation was no different in Brisbane’s blue-chip suburbs.

“Everyone’s keeping up with the Joneses, but the Joneses can’t even afford it,” he said.

Mr Paris said Brisbane’s elite did not rely on credit cards to cover everyday expenses, but it was not uncommon for high-income earning parents to pay private school fees and overseas family holidays with their cards.

Top 20 postcodes with highest personal debt