New York Financial Distress Profile
Composite distress data for 62 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 York? See your options under New York law →
New York ranks #17 nationally for household financial distress. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 62 counties. The national State Distress Index average is 50.0.
How Does New York Compare to the National Average?
New York is above the national average on 3 of 5 key household distress metrics. Credit card delinquency stands at 12.9% (above the 12.4% national rate), auto loan delinquency at 4.3%, and total debt per capita at $59,420.
Since 2019, credit card delinquency in New York has risen 3.9pp and total household debt has grown 15.9%. The state shows a mixed distress picture across different debt categories.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: New York
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, New York has climbed from the 27th-most distressed jurisdiction to the 23rd-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its composite State Distress Index score rose from 55.3 to 58.0 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 York's State Distress Index of 62.7 (moderate-high state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
New York 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 York 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 York (#17) on the State Distress Index. Peer comparison reveals whether distress patterns are regional or structural.
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 | 9.0% | 12.9% | +3.9pp | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 4.1% | 4.3% | +0.2pp | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 1.90% | 1.36% | -0.5pp | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Capita | $51,280 | $59,420 | +15.9% | $63,200 |
| CC Balance per Capita | $4,010 | $4,820 | +20.2% | $4,350 |
New York Foreclosure Law Summary
Understanding your state's foreclosure process is critical if you fall behind on mortgage payments. New York primarily uses judicial foreclosure.
New York is a judicial foreclosure state. All mortgage foreclosures must proceed through the Supreme Court under RPAPL Article 13. Non-judicial foreclosure (power of sale) is NOT available for residential mortgage foreclosures in New York.
- RPAPL 1304 — 90-Day Pre-Foreclosure Notice
- CPLR 3408 — Mandatory Settlement Conference
- RPAPL 1371 — Deficiency Judgment Protections
Court Oversight, but Rising Pressure
Despite 3 metrics exceeding national averages, New York'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 12.9% (#13 nationally) and a Distress Index score of 62.7 (moderate-high state distress), New York ranks #17 of 51 jurisdictions for household financial distress.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in New York on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. New York's 62 counties average 48.7 — near the national county mean of 50.0.
Score Label Distribution
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Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronx County | 85.7 | very high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Montgomery County | 66.4 | moderate-high county distress | Delinquency |
| Kings County | 64.8 | moderate-high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Chemung County | 61.4 | moderate-high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| St. Lawrence County | 58.9 | moderate county distress | Labor |
Bronx County ranks #39 most distressed nationally out of 3,144 counties.
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming County | 22.3 | low county distress | Labor |
| Saratoga County | 27.2 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Putnam County | 33.6 | low-moderate county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Ontario County | 34.2 | low-moderate county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Genesee County | 34.3 | low-moderate county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
The gap between New York's most and least distressed counties is 63.4 points — Bronx County (85.7, very high county distress) vs. Wyoming County (22.3, low county distress). That spread reveals two very different economic realities within the same state.
Explore all 62 New York counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in New York
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 26,974 mortgage complaints from New York since 2012 — 137.8 per 100,000 residents, above the national rate of 133.2 per 100K. New York ranks #13 of 51 jurisdictions for complaint density.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 1,239 | 1,435 | 1,218 | 1,207 | 1,157 | 1,125 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: New York
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 York'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 York
The Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer tracks credit health metrics from Equifax data. 8.6% of New York residents have debt in collections — below the national rate of 13.9%. 14.7% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 34.8% are credit-constrained.
Source: Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer. Data from NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax. 2025 Q1.
Economic Context: New York
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 York
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 York scores 57.6 out of 100 (Moderate), ranking #12 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 York?
The credit card delinquency rate in New York is 12.9% as of Q4 2025, ranking #13 among all states and DC. The national average is 12.4%. This rate has risen from 9.0% in 2019.
How does New York's household debt compare to the national average?
New York residents carry $59,420 in total debt per capita, below the national average of $63,200. Debt per capita has grown 15.9% since 2019. New York ranks #26 nationally for total household debt per capita.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in New York?
Auto loan delinquency in New York stands at 4.3% as of Q4 2025, below the national rate of 5.2%. This ranks #28 nationally. The rate has risen from 4.1% in 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does New York use?
New York primarily uses judicial foreclosure. This means foreclosures must go through the court system, giving homeowners more time and procedural protections. See our full New York foreclosure law guide for timelines, protections, and legal resources.
Is New York above or below the national average for financial distress?
New York scores 62.7 on the State Distress Index (moderate-high state distress), ranking #17 of 51 jurisdictions. That is 12.7 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 New York?
The CFPB has received 26,974 mortgage complaints from New York since 2012, a rate of 137.8 per 100,000 residents. This ranks #13 of 51 jurisdictions. The national average is 133.2 per 100K. Companies responded to 98.3% of New York complaints within the required timeframe.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in New York?
New York had 23,186 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, a rate of 118.5 per 100,000 residents — below the national rate of 169.1 per 100K. This ranks #32 of 51 jurisdictions. Chapter 7 filings account for 65.2% and Chapter 13 for 30%. Filings changed +11.0% year-over-year.
What percentage of people in New York have debt in collections?
8.6% of individuals in New York have debt in collections, below the national rate of 13.9%. This ranks #47 of 51 jurisdictions. Additionally, 14.7% of New York 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 York?
2,780,414 residents of New York receive SNAP benefits, an enrollment rate of 14.2% — above the national rate of 10.9%. This ranks #5 of 51 jurisdictions. SNAP participation has changed -6.3% year-over-year. The pre-pandemic rate was 13.1%.
How strong is New York's financial safety net?
New York scores 57.6 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #12 of 51 jurisdictions (Moderate). The score combines Medicaid coverage (28.8% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (14.2%), Homeowner Assistance Fund status (unknown), and foreclosure legal protections. The national average is 47.8.
Which New York counties have the highest financial distress?
Bronx County is the most distressed county in New York with a County Distress Index score of 85.7 · very high county distress, ranking #39 nationally out of 3,144 counties. Montgomery County (66.4 · moderate-high county distress), Kings County (64.8 · moderate-high county distress), Chemung County (61.4 · moderate-high county distress) round out the top distressed counties. Wyoming County is the least distressed at 22.3 · low county distress. See all 62 counties at /counties/new-york/.
How long can foreclosure take in New York?
New York uses judicial foreclosure, meaning every foreclosure goes through the court system. In New York, the bank can foreclose in roughly 180–900 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: Before judgment of foreclosure is entered. New York does not have a specific sta…. The homestead exemption is $150,000. Full details at /help/foreclosure/new-york/.
Where does New York rank for financial distress?
New York scores 62.7 on the State Distress Index (moderate-high state distress), ranking #17 of 51 jurisdictions. 3 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 #12 (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.
New York Foreclosure Statutes
State foreclosure law data compiled from primary statutory sources and validated against legal databases. Last verified 2026-03-05.
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.