New Hampshire Financial Distress Profile
Composite distress data for 10 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 New Hampshire? See your options under New Hampshire law →
New Hampshire ranks #49 nationally for household financial distress. The national State Distress Index average is 50.0.
How Does New Hampshire Compare to the National Average?
New Hampshire is above the national average on 2 of 5 key household distress metrics. Credit card delinquency stands at 9.8% (below the 12.4% national rate), auto loan delinquency at 3.0%, and total debt per capita at $66,480.
Since 2019, credit card delinquency in New Hampshire has risen 3.2pp and total household debt has grown 17.4%. The state shows a mixed distress picture across different debt categories.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: New Hampshire
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, New Hampshire has climbed from the 46th-most distressed jurisdiction to the 45th-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its composite State Distress Index score rose from 19.8 to 22.5 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. New Hampshire's State Distress Index of 15.6 (very low state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
New Hampshire 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)New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire (#49) on the State Distress Index. Peer comparison reveals whether distress patterns are regional or structural.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | 15.6 | very low state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Montana | 18.9 | very low state distress | Default & Legal |
| Vermont | 17.2 | very low state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| South Dakota | 9.4 | exceptionally low state distress | Delinquency |
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 | 6.6% | 9.8% | +3.2pp | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 2.9% | 3.0% | +0.1pp | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 0.70% | 0.61% | -0.1pp | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Capita | $56,640 | $66,480 | +17.4% | $63,200 |
| CC Balance per Capita | $3,630 | $4,500 | +24.0% | $4,350 |
New Hampshire Foreclosure Law Summary
Understanding your state's foreclosure process is critical if you fall behind on mortgage payments. New Hampshire primarily uses non-judicial foreclosure.
New Hampshire has two foreclosure tracks: (1) non-judicial foreclosure by power of sale under RSA 479:25 et seq. — the dominant method, available when the mortgage contains a power of sale clause (standard in virtually all modern residential mortgage…
Full New Hampshire foreclosure law guide →State-Level Divergence
National averages mask wide variation across states. New Hampshire's credit card delinquency of 9.8% falls below the national 12.4%, but other metrics tell a more nuanced story. With 2 of 5 tracked metrics above national averages and a Distress Index of 15.6 (very low state distress), the pressure on New Hampshire households is real. The Household Debt by State roundup tracks all 51 jurisdictions.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in New Hampshire on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. New Hampshire's 10 counties average 31.1 — below the national county mean of 50.0.
Score Label Distribution
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Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coos County | 44.2 | moderate-low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Sullivan County | 36.4 | low-moderate county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Strafford County | 33.6 | low-moderate county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Belknap County | 32.4 | low-moderate county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Cheshire County | 32.1 | low-moderate county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
Coos County ranks #1923 most distressed nationally out of 3,144 counties.
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockingham County | 23.6 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Carroll County | 25.6 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Grafton County | 26.1 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Merrimack County | 26.2 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Hillsborough County | 31.1 | low-moderate county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
The gap between New Hampshire's most and least distressed counties is 20.6 points — Coos County (44.2, moderate-low county distress) vs. Rockingham County (23.6, low county distress).
Explore all 10 New Hampshire counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in New Hampshire
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 2,338 mortgage complaints from New Hampshire since 2012 — 166.8 per 100,000 residents, above the national rate of 133.2 per 100K. New Hampshire ranks #8 of 51 jurisdictions for complaint density.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 103 | 99 | 111 | 69 | 59 | 98 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: New Hampshire
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. New Hampshire's filing rate is below 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: New Hampshire
The Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer tracks credit health metrics from Equifax data. 9.2% of New Hampshire residents have debt in collections — below the national rate of 13.9%. 11.4% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 28.2% are credit-constrained.
Source: Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer. Data from NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax. 2025 Q1.
Economic Context: New Hampshire
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: New Hampshire
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. New Hampshire scores 28.7 out of 100 (Minimal), ranking #48 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 New Hampshire?
The credit card delinquency rate in New Hampshire is 9.8% as of Q4 2025, ranking #38 among all states and DC. The national average is 12.4%. This rate has risen from 6.6% in 2019.
How does New Hampshire's household debt compare to the national average?
New Hampshire residents carry $66,480 in total debt per capita, above the national average of $63,200. Debt per capita has grown 17.4% since 2019. New Hampshire ranks #17 nationally for total household debt per capita.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in New Hampshire?
Auto loan delinquency in New Hampshire stands at 3.0% as of Q4 2025, below the national rate of 5.2%. This ranks #46 nationally. The rate has risen from 2.9% in 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does New Hampshire use?
New Hampshire primarily uses non-judicial foreclosure. This allows lenders to foreclose without court proceedings, resulting in a faster process. See our full New Hampshire foreclosure law guide for timelines, protections, and legal resources.
Is New Hampshire above or below the national average for financial distress?
New Hampshire scores 15.6 on the State Distress Index (very low state distress), ranking #49 of 51 jurisdictions. That is 34.4 points below 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 New Hampshire?
The CFPB has received 2,338 mortgage complaints from New Hampshire since 2012, a rate of 166.8 per 100,000 residents. This ranks #8 of 51 jurisdictions. The national average is 133.2 per 100K. Companies responded to 98.3% of New Hampshire complaints within the required timeframe.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire had 935 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, a rate of 66.7 per 100,000 residents — below the national rate of 169.1 per 100K. This ranks #48 of 51 jurisdictions. Chapter 7 filings account for 70.4% and Chapter 13 for 27.7%. Filings changed +9.1% year-over-year.
What percentage of people in New Hampshire have debt in collections?
9.2% of individuals in New Hampshire have debt in collections, below the national rate of 13.9%. This ranks #44 of 51 jurisdictions. Additionally, 11.4% of New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire?
73,525 residents of New Hampshire receive SNAP benefits, an enrollment rate of 5.2% — below the national rate of 10.9%. This ranks #49 of 51 jurisdictions. SNAP participation has changed -3.0% year-over-year. The pre-pandemic rate was 5.1%.
How strong is New Hampshire's financial safety net?
New Hampshire scores 28.7 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #48 of 51 jurisdictions (Minimal). The score combines Medicaid coverage (11.6% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (5.2%), Homeowner Assistance Fund status (winding down), and foreclosure legal protections. The national average is 47.8.
Which New Hampshire counties have the highest financial distress?
Coos County is the most distressed county in New Hampshire with a County Distress Index score of 44.2 · moderate-low county distress, ranking #1923 nationally out of 3,144 counties. Sullivan County (36.4 · low-moderate county distress), Strafford County (33.6 · low-moderate county distress), Belknap County (32.4 · low-moderate county distress) round out the top distressed counties. Rockingham County is the least distressed at 23.6 · low county distress. See all 10 counties at /counties/new-hampshire/.
How long can foreclosure take in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire uses non-judicial foreclosure, which allows lenders to foreclose without court proceedings. Timeline varies by county and complexity. Homeowners have a right to cure: Up to the date of sale. You can cure the default at any time before the foreclos…. The homestead exemption is $120,000. Full details at /help/foreclosure/new-hampshire/.
Where does New Hampshire rank for financial distress?
New Hampshire scores 15.6 on the State Distress Index (very low state distress), ranking #49 of 51 jurisdictions. 2 of 5 key metrics exceed national averages. The highest SDI domain is Debt Burden (housing basis). County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #48 (Minimal).
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.
New Hampshire 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.