Suffolk County, Massachusetts

County Distress Index: Elevated · 50.5 | 768,425 people · 3rd most distressed in Massachusetts
American Default Research

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Suffolk County, MA registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 50.5 — 1541st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Massachusetts, it ranks 3rd of 14 counties. It scores higher than all 4 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Suffolk County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 89.5 — worse than roughly 90% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 89.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 90
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 88
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 81
Homeownership Rate 99
Economic Vitality 64.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 65
Rent-to-Income Ratio 99
Business Formation Rate 12
House Price Change (YoY) 55
Structural Poverty 43.3
Unemployment Rate 74
Poverty Rate 62
Income vs. State Median 53
Child Poverty Rate 62
Disability Rate 19
Transfer Income Dependency 7
Consumer Credit Distress 37.9
Debt in Collections 30
Medical Debt 21
Auto Loan Delinquency 49
Credit Card Delinquency 50
Uninsured Rate 3
Subprime Credit Population 51
Legal Distress 11.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 11

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Suffolk County
Suffolk County, MA 50.5 Elevated —
Essex County, MA 48.0 Normal -2.5
Plymouth County, MA 43.4 Normal -7.2
Norfolk County, MA 35.3 Normal -15.3
Middlesex County, MA 32.5 Healthy -18.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Suffolk County
Multnomah County, OR 50.4 Elevated -0.1
Weld County, CO 50.4 Elevated -0.2
Monroe County, NY 50.2 Elevated -0.3
Richmond County, NY 50.1 Elevated -0.4
El Paso County, CO 51.0 Elevated +0.4

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Suffolk County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Suffolk County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Suffolk County.

ACTION FOR BOSTON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, INC.
Boston
617-348-6449 Website
Foreclosure Prevention
ASIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Boston
617-482-2380
Financial CounselingFinancial CounselingFair HousingHome Improvement/Rehab
CHELSEA RESTORATION CORPORATION
Chelsea
617-889-2277 Website
Foreclosure PreventionPre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education
CODMAN SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD DEV. CORP.
Dorchester
617-825-4224 Website
Foreclosure PreventionPost-PurchasePre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education
ECUMENICAL SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE, INC.
JAMAICA PLAIN
617-524-2555-108 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial Counseling

See all counselors in Massachusetts →

Find an Attorney

Massachusetts Bar Association — Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Massachusetts Bar Association — Lawyer Referral Service 617-654-0400 (Boston); 1-800-392-6164 (statewide)

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Suffolk County residents at no cost.

Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) 617-603-1700
Massachusetts Legal Aid (MLA) — Statewide Hotline 617-603-1700 (GBLS); see MassLegalHelp.org for regional offices
South Coastal Counties Legal Services (SCCLS) 508-979-7150 (New Bedford); 508-775-7020 (Hyannis)
Harvard Legal Aid Bureau 617-495-4408
Community Legal Aid, Inc. (508) 752-3718
Northeast Legal Aid, Inc. (978) 458-1465
Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association (617) 603-1700

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Massachusetts →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Suffolk County, Massachusetts?

    Suffolk County has a County Distress Index score of 50.5 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,541st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 3rd in Massachusetts out of 14 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Suffolk County?

    The primary driver of distress in Suffolk County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 89.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Suffolk County compare to neighboring counties?

    Suffolk County (50.5) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Essex County, MA (48.0); Plymouth County, MA (43.4); Norfolk County, MA (35.3).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Elevated zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Suffolk County's score of 50.5 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

  • What data sources power Suffolk County's CDI score?

    Suffolk County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Suffolk County?

    Suffolk County, Massachusetts has a population of approximately 768,425 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.