Arizona Financial Distress Profile
Household debt and delinquency, bankruptcy filings, unemployment, foreclosure law and county distress scores for Arizona and its 15 counties, from federal sources, each shown beside the U.S. figure.
· Data from Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Q4 2025
Behind on your mortgage in Arizona? See your options under Arizona law →
Arizona ranks #13 of 51 jurisdictions on the State Distress Index, in the second-most distressed fifth: its score of 76 means it is more distressed than 76% of the 50 states and D.C.. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 15 counties.
How Does Arizona Compare With the U.S.?
Arizona is above the U.S. figure on 4 of 5 household debt measures from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for Q4 2025: credit card delinquency (13.7%), auto loan delinquency (5.6%), total debt per adult with a credit file ($70,850) and credit card balance per adult with a credit file ($4,530). Credit card delinquency is 13.7%, 1.3 percentage points above the U.S. 12.4%; total debt per adult with a credit file is $70,850, $7,650 above the U.S. $63,200.
Credit card delinquency in Arizona is up 3.3 percentage points from 10.4% in Q4 2019, and total debt per adult with a credit file is 30.5% higher than in Q4 2019.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: Arizona
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, Arizona has climbed from the 30th-most distressed jurisdiction to the 12th-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its State Distress Index score rose from 42 to 78 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 47.0 (Typical). The composite itself sits higher than 44% of all published quarters since 2005. Arizona's State Distress Index of 76 (high state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
Arizona and the U.S.
Delinquency rates measure balances 90 or more days past due as a share of total balances in each loan category. Higher rates signal greater household financial stress. Debt and balance figures are per adult with a credit file, not per resident.
Download all states (CSV)Arizona and the U.S.: 5 Household Debt Measures (Q4 2025)
Source: NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax, Q4 2025.
Similar States by Distress Level
The states ranked closest to Arizona (#13) on the State Distress Index, with the domain that scores highest in each.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 76 | high state distress | Labor |
| New Mexico | 80 | very high state distress | Labor |
| Connecticut | 78 | high state distress | Labor |
| District of Columbia | 74 | high state distress | Labor |
Change Since 2019
Q4 2019, the last fourth quarter before the pandemic, is the baseline. Credit card delinquency is higher than in Q4 2019 in 51 of 51 jurisdictions, and auto loan delinquency is higher in 33.
| Metric | Q4 2019 | Q4 2025 | Change | U.S. Q4 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Card Delinquency | 10.4% | 13.7% | +3.3 percentage points | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 5.2% | 5.6% | +0.4 percentage points | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 0.59% | 0.94% | +0.35 percentage points | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Adult With a Credit File | $54,290 | $70,850 | +30.5% | $63,200 |
| Card Balance per Adult With a Credit File | $3,460 | $4,530 | +30.9% | $4,350 |
Arizona Foreclosure Law Summary
If you fall behind on mortgage payments, the steps and deadlines depend on state law. Arizona mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court.
Arizona foreclosures proceed almost entirely without court involvement through a trustee's sale (A.R.S. § 33-801 et seq.). The minimum is 91 days from the Notice of Trustee's Sale to the sale.
- Paying to stop the foreclosure: Until 5:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on the last day other than a Saturday or legal holiday before the sale (or before a court foreclosure action is filed). Pay all past-due amounts, fees, and costs to reinstate. After the cutoff, the statutory right to reinstate ends.
Non-Judicial Foreclosure and Above-U.S. Delinquency
4 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures in Arizona are above the U.S. figure, and the state mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. A HUD-approved housing counselor can explain the options at no cost; the Arizona foreclosure guide lists the steps and deadlines.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in Arizona on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. Arizona's 15 counties average 70.6: on average, Arizona's counties are more distressed than 70% of U.S. counties. Across all 3,144 counties the average is 50.0, the middle of the scale.
Score Label Distribution
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Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apache County | 90 | extreme county distress | Labor |
| Navajo County | 89 | very high county distress | Labor |
| Santa Cruz County | 89 | very high county distress | Labor |
| Mohave County | 82 | very high county distress | Labor |
| Gila County | 79 | high county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenlee County | 28 | low county distress | Delinquency |
| Yavapai County | 50 | moderate county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Maricopa County | 58 | moderate county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Graham County | 61 | moderate-high county distress | Labor |
| Coconino County | 68 | moderate-high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
The most distressed county in Arizona is Apache County (90, extreme county distress); the least distressed is Greenlee County (28, low county distress).
Explore all 15 Arizona counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Arizona
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 10,393 mortgage complaints from Arizona since 2012, 137.1 per 100,000 residents, 2.1 above the U.S. rate of 135. Arizona ranks #15 of 51 on complaints per resident.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 606 | 608 | 455 | 464 | 470 | 518 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: Arizona
The filing rate is bankruptcy cases filed in a year, from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, per 100,000 residents. It does not identify household causes, motives, assets, income, or case outcomes. Arizona's rate of 170.0 is 0.9 above the U.S. rate of 169.1.
Source: U.S. Courts, Administrative Office. Table F-2: Cases Commenced by Chapter. Per-capita rates use 2024 U.S. Census Bureau population estimates.
Credit Distress: Arizona
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Consumer Credit Explorer reports credit health from NY Fed / Equifax credit records. 15.2% of people with a credit file in Arizona have debt in collections, 1.3 percentage points above the U.S. average of 13.9%. 17.2% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 38.5% are credit-constrained.
Source: Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer. Data from NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax. Q1 2025. The U.S. average is weighted by state population (our calculation).
Economic Context: Arizona
SNAP enrollment and unemployment give context for the debt figures above. The unemployment rate measures joblessness among people in the labor force. SNAP enrollment reflects each state's program rules and reach as well as need, which is why it is not part of the State Distress Index.
Sources: U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics. Population: U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimates.
Safety Net Strength: Arizona
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. Arizona scores 36.1 out of 100 (Weak), ranking #38 of 51 jurisdictions.
Component Breakdown
Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation (Medicaid, 2024), USDA FNS (SNAP, June 2026), state foreclosure statutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the credit card delinquency rate in Arizona?
The credit card delinquency rate in Arizona is 13.7% as of Q4 2025, ranking #7 among the 51 states and DC, 1.3 percentage points above the U.S. 12.4%. It is up 3.3 percentage points from 10.4% in Q4 2019.
How does Arizona's household debt compare with the U.S.?
The NY Fed reports a $70,850 total debt balance per adult with a credit file in Arizona, $7,650 above the U.S. $63,200 on the same basis. That is 30.5% higher than in Q4 2019. Arizona ranks #11 on that basis.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Arizona?
Auto loan delinquency in Arizona is 5.6% as of Q4 2025, 0.4 percentage points above the U.S. 5.2%. This ranks #16 of 51. The rate is up from 5.2% in Q4 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Arizona use?
Arizona mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. See our Arizona foreclosure guide for the timeline, homeowner protections and where to get free help.
What is Arizona's State Distress Index score?
Arizona scores 76 on the State Distress Index (high state distress), which means it is more distressed than 76% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #13 of 51 jurisdictions, in the second-most distressed fifth. The score is built from 4 equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden on a housing basis, and labor. It ranks states against each other at one time. Separately, the national American Distress Index reads 47.0 (Typical) for the country over time. The composite itself sits higher than 44% of all published quarters since 2005.
How many CFPB mortgage complaints have been filed in Arizona?
The CFPB has received 10,393 mortgage complaints from Arizona since 2012, 137.1 per 100,000 residents, 2.1 above the U.S. rate of 135. That ranks #15 of 51. Companies responded to 98.2% of Arizona complaints on time.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Arizona?
Arizona had 12,891 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, 170.0 per 100,000 residents, 0.9 above the U.S. rate of 169.1. This ranks #23 of 51. Chapter 7 filings account for 82.5% and Chapter 13 for 16.4%. That is 18.7% more filings than in 2024.
What percentage of people in Arizona have debt in collections?
15.2% of people with a credit file in Arizona have debt in collections, 1.3 percentage points above the U.S. average of 13.9%. This ranks #19 of 51. 17.2% have subprime credit scores (below 620), 0.3 percentage points above the U.S. average of 16.9%. Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Consumer Credit Explorer (NY Fed / Equifax), Q1 2025.
What is the SNAP enrollment rate in Arizona?
421,147 residents of Arizona received SNAP benefits in June 2026, an enrollment rate of 5.5%, 5.2 percentage points below the U.S. rate of 10.8%. This ranks #47 of 51. That is 52.5% fewer people than in June 2025. The rate is 4.7 percentage points below the October 2019 to February 2020 average.
How strong is Arizona's financial safety net?
Arizona scores 36.1 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #38 of 51 (Weak). The score combines Medicaid coverage (18.5% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (5.5%), and foreclosure legal protections. That is below the state average of 43.6.
Which Arizona counties have the highest financial distress?
Apache County is the most distressed county in Arizona with a County Distress Index score of 90 · extreme county distress. Navajo County (89 · very high county distress), Santa Cruz County (89 · very high county distress), Mohave County (82 · very high county distress) are next. Greenlee County is the least distressed at 28 · low county distress. See all 15 counties at /counties/arizona/.
How long can foreclosure take in Arizona?
Arizona mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. The timeline varies by county and case. Paying to stop the foreclosure: Until 5:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on the last day other than a Saturday or legal holiday before the sale (or before a court foreclosure action is filed). Pay all past-due amounts, fees, and costs to reinstate. After the cutoff, the statutory right to reinstate ends. Homestead exemption: $400,000 (adjusted each January 1 for inflation since 2024). Full details at /help/foreclosure/arizona/.
Where does Arizona rank for financial distress?
Arizona scores 76 on the State Distress Index (high state distress), which means it is more distressed than 76% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #13 of 51 jurisdictions, in the second-most distressed fifth. 4 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures are above the U.S. figure. The State Distress Index domain with the highest score is Labor. County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #38 (Weak).
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. Published once a year with fourth-quarter figures.
American Distress Index
Composite index tracking U.S. household financial distress across five equal-weighted domains. National score as of the latest available quarter.
Arizona 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 (latest month), and state foreclosure legal protections.