Maryland Financial Distress Profile
Composite distress data for 24 counties, updated quarterly from federal sources. Household debt, delinquency, foreclosure law, and county-level distress scores compared to national averages.
· Data from NY Fed, CFPB, BLS, US Courts, Q4 2025
Behind on your mortgage in Maryland? See your options under Maryland law →
Maryland ranks #14 nationally for household financial distress. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 24 counties. The national State Distress Index average is 50.0.
How Does Maryland Compare to the National Average?
Maryland is above the national average on 4 of 5 key household distress metrics. Credit card delinquency stands at 11.7% (below the 12.4% national rate), auto loan delinquency at 6.0%, and total debt per capita at $81,390.
Since 2019, credit card delinquency in Maryland has risen 4.2pp and total household debt has grown 12.6%. Multiple indicators place Maryland among the higher-distress states nationally.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: Maryland
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, Maryland has climbed from the 34th-most distressed jurisdiction to the 16th-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its composite State Distress Index score rose from 37.9 to 62.4 over the same span.
Quarter-aligned back-series. Each quarter re-ranks all 51 jurisdictions on that quarter's own data, so a state's position here can sit several spots from the current reading above, which uses each input's latest value.
Domain Breakdown
The national American Distress Index reads 43.8 (Typical). On average, its inputs sit higher than in 44% of their own quarterly histories. Maryland's State Distress Index of 64.9 (moderate-high state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
Maryland vs. National Average
Delinquency rates measure the share of loan accounts 30 or more days past due. Higher rates signal greater household financial stress. Debt and balance figures are per capita, adjusted for state population.
Download all states (CSV)Maryland vs. National: 5 Key Metrics (Q4 2025)
Source: NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax, Q4 2025.
Similar States by Distress Level
States ranked closest to Maryland (#14) on the State Distress Index. Peer comparison reveals whether distress patterns are regional or structural.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 64.9 | moderate-high state distress | Delinquency |
| District of Columbia | 66.1 | moderate-high state distress | Labor |
| Arizona | 65.2 | moderate-high state distress | Labor |
| Connecticut | 64.9 | moderate-high state distress | Labor |
Change Since 2019
Pre-pandemic 2019 values provide a baseline for how distress has evolved. Credit card and auto loan delinquency have risen sharply in most states since pandemic-era forbearance protections expired.
| Metric | 2019 | 2025 | Change | Nat'l 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Card Delinquency | 7.4% | 11.7% | +4.2pp | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 5.1% | 6.0% | +0.9pp | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 1.33% | 1.11% | -0.2pp | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Capita | $72,310 | $81,390 | +12.6% | $63,200 |
| CC Balance per Capita | $4,120 | $5,090 | +23.5% | $4,350 |
Maryland Foreclosure Law Summary
Understanding your state's foreclosure process is critical if you fall behind on mortgage payments. Maryland primarily uses judicial foreclosure.
Maryland is a judicial foreclosure state. Nearly all residential foreclosures proceed through Circuit Court under Md. Code, Real Prop. § 7-101 et seq. Maryland uses a quasi-judicial process: the foreclosure is filed in Circuit Court (Order to Docket)…
Full Maryland foreclosure law guide →Court Oversight, but Rising Pressure
Despite 4 metrics exceeding national averages, Maryland's judicial foreclosure requirement provides court oversight that slows the process and gives homeowners more time to respond. But judicial protection doesn't prevent distress — it extends the timeline. With a credit card delinquency rate of 11.7% (#21 nationally) and a Distress Index score of 64.9 (moderate-high state distress), Maryland ranks #14 of 51 jurisdictions for household financial distress.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in Maryland on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. Maryland's 24 counties average 48.8 — near the national county mean of 50.0.
Score Label Distribution
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Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore city | 87.3 | very high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Somerset County | 76.7 | high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Prince George's County | 72.3 | high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Dorchester County | 70.4 | high county distress | Delinquency |
| Wicomico County | 66.0 | moderate-high county distress | Delinquency |
Baltimore city ranks #27 most distressed nationally out of 3,144 counties.
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carroll County | 23.0 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Queen Anne's County | 26.9 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Howard County | 27.3 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Garrett County | 32.8 | low-moderate county distress | Labor |
| Anne Arundel County | 33.8 | low-moderate county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
The gap between Maryland's most and least distressed counties is 64.2 points — Baltimore city (87.3, very high county distress) vs. Carroll County (23.0, low county distress). That spread reveals two very different economic realities within the same state.
Explore all 24 Maryland counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Maryland
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 16,650 mortgage complaints from Maryland since 2012 — 269.4 per 100,000 residents, above the national rate of 133.2 per 100K. Maryland ranks #2 of 51 jurisdictions for complaint density.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 916 | 1,007 | 913 | 825 | 835 | 761 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: Maryland
The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts filing rate reports annual cases per resident. It does not identify household causes, motives, assets, income, or case outcomes. Maryland's filing rate exceeds the national average.
Source: U.S. Courts, Administrative Office. Table F-2: Cases Commenced by Chapter. Per-capita rates use 2024 Census population estimates.
Credit Distress: Maryland
The Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer tracks credit health metrics from Equifax data. 13.3% of Maryland residents have debt in collections — below the national rate of 13.9%. 17.7% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 38.0% are credit-constrained.
Source: Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer. Data from NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax. 2025 Q1.
Economic Context: Maryland
SNAP enrollment and unemployment rates provide upstream context for household debt distress. Higher food assistance enrollment signals that more families are struggling with basic expenses, while elevated unemployment directly reduces income available for debt service.
Sources: USDA Food and Nutrition Service, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics. Population: U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimates.
Safety Net Strength: Maryland
The Safety Net Index measures how much support infrastructure is available to households in financial distress — combining healthcare coverage, food assistance, emergency housing funds, and legal protections. Maryland scores 58 out of 100 (Moderate), ranking #9 of 51 jurisdictions.
Component Breakdown
Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation (Medicaid, 2024), USDA FNS (SNAP, 2025), U.S. Treasury HAF program status, state foreclosure statutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the credit card delinquency rate in Maryland?
The credit card delinquency rate in Maryland is 11.7% as of Q4 2025, ranking #21 among all states and DC. The national average is 12.4%. This rate has risen from 7.4% in 2019.
How does Maryland's household debt compare to the national average?
Maryland residents carry $81,390 in total debt per capita, above the national average of $63,200. Debt per capita has grown 12.6% since 2019. Maryland ranks #7 nationally for total household debt per capita.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Maryland?
Auto loan delinquency in Maryland stands at 6.0% as of Q4 2025, above the national rate of 5.2%. This ranks #13 nationally. The rate has risen from 5.1% in 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Maryland use?
Maryland primarily uses judicial foreclosure. This means foreclosures must go through the court system, giving homeowners more time and procedural protections. See our full Maryland foreclosure law guide for timelines, protections, and legal resources.
Is Maryland above or below the national average for financial distress?
Maryland scores 64.9 on the State Distress Index (moderate-high state distress), ranking #14 of 51 jurisdictions. That is 14.9 points above the national state average of 50.0. This composite score is built from 4 domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden on a housing basis, and labor. Separately, the national American Distress Index reads 43.8 (Typical) for the country over time. On average, its inputs sit higher than in 44% of their own quarterly histories.
How many CFPB mortgage complaints have been filed in Maryland?
The CFPB has received 16,650 mortgage complaints from Maryland since 2012, a rate of 269.4 per 100,000 residents. This ranks #2 of 51 jurisdictions. The national average is 133.2 per 100K. Companies responded to 98.2% of Maryland complaints within the required timeframe.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Maryland?
Maryland had 12,405 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, a rate of 200.7 per 100,000 residents — above the national rate of 169.1 per 100K. This ranks #15 of 51 jurisdictions. Chapter 7 filings account for 62.9% and Chapter 13 for 36.3%. Filings changed +14.2% year-over-year.
What percentage of people in Maryland have debt in collections?
13.3% of individuals in Maryland have debt in collections, below the national rate of 13.9%. This ranks #23 of 51 jurisdictions. Additionally, 17.7% of Maryland residents have subprime credit scores (below 620), compared to 16.9% nationally. Data from the Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer (NY Fed / Equifax).
What is the SNAP enrollment rate in Maryland?
624,352 residents of Maryland receive SNAP benefits, an enrollment rate of 10.0% — below the national rate of 10.9%. This ranks #25 of 51 jurisdictions. SNAP participation has changed -6.3% year-over-year. The pre-pandemic rate was 9.7%.
How strong is Maryland's financial safety net?
Maryland scores 58 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #9 of 51 jurisdictions (Moderate). The score combines Medicaid coverage (18.5% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (10%), Homeowner Assistance Fund status (active), and foreclosure legal protections. The national average is 47.8.
Which Maryland counties have the highest financial distress?
Baltimore city is the most distressed county in Maryland with a County Distress Index score of 87.3 · very high county distress, ranking #27 nationally out of 3,144 counties. Somerset County (76.7 · high county distress), Prince George's County (72.3 · high county distress), Dorchester County (70.4 · high county distress) round out the top distressed counties. Carroll County is the least distressed at 23.0 · low county distress. See all 24 counties at /counties/maryland/.
How long can foreclosure take in Maryland?
Maryland uses judicial foreclosure, meaning every foreclosure goes through the court system. In Maryland, the bank can foreclose in roughly 90–270 days from first missed payment to sale — though individual cases vary with cure periods, mediation, postponements, court backlogs, and bankruptcy filings. Homeowners have a right to cure: Maryland's Right to Cure statute allows borrowers to cure a default and stop the…. The homestead exemption is $0. Full details at /help/foreclosure/maryland/.
Where does Maryland rank for financial distress?
Maryland scores 64.9 on the State Distress Index (moderate-high state distress), ranking #14 of 51 jurisdictions. 4 of 5 key metrics exceed national averages. The highest SDI domain is Delinquency. County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #9 (Moderate).
Data Sources
NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel
State-level household debt and delinquency statistics from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, based on Equifax credit bureau data. Updated quarterly.
American Distress Index
Composite index tracking U.S. household financial distress across five equal-weighted domains. National score as of the latest available quarter.
Maryland Foreclosure Statutes
State foreclosure law data compiled from primary statutory sources and validated against legal databases. Last verified 2026-03-10.
CFPB Complaint Database
Mortgage complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 2012–present. Density calculated using 2024 Census population estimates.
USDA SNAP State Activity
Monthly SNAP participation by state from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. Enrollment rates computed against 2024 Census population estimates.
U.S. Bankruptcy Courts
Annual bankruptcy filings by chapter and district from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Per-capita rates computed against 2024 Census population estimates.
Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer
Quarterly credit health metrics (collections, subprime share, delinquency, credit-constrained rates) from Equifax via the NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel.
Safety Net Index
Composite score from KFF Medicaid enrollment (2024), USDA SNAP participation (2025), U.S. Treasury HAF program status, and state foreclosure legal protections.