That’s the average mortgage balance across the U.S.: $157,154. Of course, whether you’re over or under that number doesn’t really say anything useful at all — it depends on so many factors, from where your home is, to whether it’s a first or second home, to how long you’ve owned the home, and so on and so on. But it’s a good point to start a conversation, and The Motley Fool brings up the number in the context of discussing “good” vs. “bad” debt, and how to make a mortgage work in your favor  Check it out.