Maryland Financial Distress Profile
Household debt and delinquency, bankruptcy filings, unemployment, foreclosure law and county distress scores for Maryland and its 24 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 Maryland? See your options under Maryland law →
Maryland ranks #17 of 51 jurisdictions on the State Distress Index, in the second-most distressed fifth: its score of 68 means it is more distressed than 68% of the 50 states and D.C.. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 24 counties.
How Does Maryland Compare With the U.S.?
Maryland is above the U.S. figure on 4 of 5 household debt measures from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for Q4 2025: auto loan delinquency (6.0%), mortgage delinquency (1.11%), total debt per adult with a credit file ($81,390) and credit card balance per adult with a credit file ($5,090). Credit card delinquency is 11.7%, 0.7 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%; total debt per adult with a credit file is $81,390, $18,190 above the U.S. $63,200.
Credit card delinquency in Maryland is up 4.3 percentage points from 7.4% in Q4 2019, and total debt per adult with a credit file is 12.6% higher than in Q4 2019.
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 State Distress Index score rose from 34 to 70 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. Maryland's State Distress Index of 68 (moderate-high state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
Maryland 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)Maryland 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 Maryland (#17) on the State Distress Index, with the domain that scores highest in each.
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 | 7.4% | 11.7% | +4.3 percentage points | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 5.1% | 6.0% | +0.9 percentage points | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 1.33% | 1.11% | −0.22 percentage points | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Adult With a Credit File | $72,310 | $81,390 | +12.6% | $63,200 |
| Card Balance per Adult With a Credit File | $4,120 | $5,090 | +23.5% | $4,350 |
Maryland Foreclosure Law Summary
If you fall behind on mortgage payments, the steps and deadlines depend on state law. Maryland mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts.
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)…
- Paying to stop the foreclosure: Up to 1 business day before the foreclosure sale. The borrower can cure the default and reinstate the loan by paying all past-due payments, penalties, and fees (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 7-105.1(p)); on request, the lender must give the borrower or the borrower's attorney the amount needed and instructions for paying it within a reasonable time.
Judicial Foreclosure and Above-U.S. Delinquency
4 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures in Maryland are above the U.S. figure. Maryland mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts, so a lender needs a court order before a sale. Credit card delinquency is 11.7% (#20 of 51), and Maryland ranks #17 of 51 on the State Distress Index, in the second-most distressed fifth.
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 45.2: on average, Maryland's counties are more distressed than 45% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore city | 97 | extreme county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Somerset County | 90 | extreme county distress | Delinquency |
| Dorchester County | 84 | very high county distress | Delinquency |
| Prince George's County | 79 | high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Wicomico County | 77 | high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
Baltimore city ranks #85 most distressed nationally out of 3,144 counties.
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Howard County | 9 | exceptionally low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Carroll County | 10 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Queen Anne's County | 13 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Anne Arundel County | 19 | very low county distress | Default & Legal |
| Montgomery County | 20 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
The most distressed county in Maryland is Baltimore city (97, extreme county distress); the least distressed is Howard County (9, exceptionally low county distress).
Explore all 24 Maryland counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Maryland
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 16,836 mortgage complaints from Maryland since 2012, 272.4 per 100,000 residents, 137.4 above the U.S. rate of 135. Maryland ranks #2 of 51 on complaints per resident.
| 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 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. Maryland's rate of 200.7 is 31.6 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: Maryland
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Consumer Credit Explorer reports credit health from NY Fed / Equifax credit records. 13.3% of people with a credit file in Maryland have debt in collections, 0.6 percentage points below the U.S. average 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. Q1 2025. The U.S. average is weighted by state population (our calculation).
Economic Context: Maryland
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: 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 48.3 out of 100 (Weak), ranking #18 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 Maryland?
The credit card delinquency rate in Maryland is 11.7% as of Q4 2025, ranking #20 among the 51 states and DC, 0.7 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%. It is up 4.3 percentage points from 7.4% in Q4 2019.
How does Maryland's household debt compare with the U.S.?
The NY Fed reports a $81,390 total debt balance per adult with a credit file in Maryland, $18,190 above the U.S. $63,200 on the same basis. That is 12.6% higher than in Q4 2019. Maryland ranks #7 on that basis.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Maryland?
Auto loan delinquency in Maryland is 6.0% as of Q4 2025, 0.8 percentage points above the U.S. 5.2%. This ranks #13 of 51. The rate is up from 5.1% in Q4 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Maryland use?
Maryland mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts. See our Maryland foreclosure guide for the timeline, homeowner protections and where to get free help.
What is Maryland's State Distress Index score?
Maryland scores 68 on the State Distress Index (moderate-high state distress), which means it is more distressed than 68% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #17 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 Maryland?
The CFPB has received 16,836 mortgage complaints from Maryland since 2012, 272.4 per 100,000 residents, 137.4 above the U.S. rate of 135. That ranks #2 of 51. Companies responded to 98.1% of Maryland complaints on time.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Maryland?
Maryland had 12,405 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, 200.7 per 100,000 residents, 31.6 above the U.S. rate of 169.1. This ranks #15 of 51. Chapter 7 filings account for 62.9% and Chapter 13 for 36.3%. That is 14.2% more filings than in 2024.
What percentage of people in Maryland have debt in collections?
13.3% of people with a credit file in Maryland have debt in collections, 0.6 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. This ranks #23 of 51. 17.7% have subprime credit scores (below 620), 0.8 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 Maryland?
624,548 residents of Maryland received SNAP benefits in June 2026, an enrollment rate of 10.0%, 0.8 percentage points below the U.S. rate of 10.8%. This ranks #26 of 51. That is 6.1% fewer people than in June 2025. The rate is 0.3 percentage points above the October 2019 to February 2020 average.
How strong is Maryland's financial safety net?
Maryland scores 48.3 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #18 of 51 (Weak). The score combines Medicaid coverage (18.5% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (10%), and foreclosure legal protections. That is above the state average of 43.6.
Which Maryland counties have the highest financial distress?
Baltimore city is the most distressed county in Maryland with a County Distress Index score of 97 · extreme county distress, ranking #85 nationally out of 3,144 counties. Somerset County (90 · extreme county distress), Dorchester County (84 · very high county distress), Prince George's County (79 · high county distress) are next. Howard County is the least distressed at 9 · exceptionally low county distress. See all 24 counties at /counties/maryland/.
How long can foreclosure take in Maryland?
Maryland mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts. The timeline varies by county and case. Paying to stop the foreclosure: Up to 1 business day before the foreclosure sale. The borrower can cure the default and reinstate the loan by paying all past-due payments, penalties, and fees (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 7-105.1(p)); on request, the lender must give the borrower or the borrower's attorney the amount needed and instructions for paying it within a reasonable time. Homestead exemption: Up to $125,000 of equity in an owner-occupied home per individual, but only in a bankruptcy case filed on or after June 1, 2026 ($125,000 total if more than one person in the same case claims the same home). Adjusted for inflation each year starting in fiscal year 2028. Full details at /help/foreclosure/maryland/.
Where does Maryland rank for financial distress?
Maryland scores 68 on the State Distress Index (moderate-high state distress), which means it is more distressed than 68% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #17 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 Delinquency. County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #18 (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.
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 (latest month), and state foreclosure legal protections.