Massachusetts Financial Distress Profile
Household debt and delinquency, bankruptcy filings, unemployment, foreclosure law and county distress scores for Massachusetts and its 14 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 Massachusetts? See your options under Massachusetts law →
Massachusetts ranks #35 of 51 jurisdictions on the State Distress Index, in the second-least distressed fifth: its score of 32 means it is more distressed than 32% of the 50 states and D.C.. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 14 counties.
How Does Massachusetts Compare With the U.S.?
Massachusetts is above the U.S. figure on 2 of 5 household debt measures from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for Q4 2025: total debt per adult with a credit file ($77,400) and credit card balance per adult with a credit file ($4,650). Credit card delinquency is 10.3%, 2.1 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%; total debt per adult with a credit file is $77,400, $14,200 above the U.S. $63,200.
Credit card delinquency in Massachusetts is up 3.1 percentage points from 7.2% in Q4 2019, and total debt per adult with a credit file is 18.2% higher than in Q4 2019.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: Massachusetts
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, Massachusetts has held near the same place: the 32nd-most distressed jurisdiction then, the 33rd-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its State Distress Index score was little changed, 38 then and 36 now.
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. Massachusetts's State Distress Index of 32 (low-moderate state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
Massachusetts 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)Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts (#35) on the State Distress Index, with the domain that scores highest in each.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 32 | low-moderate state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Washington | 36 | low-moderate state distress | Labor |
| Colorado | 34 | low-moderate state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Kansas | 30 | low-moderate state distress | Default & Legal |
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 | 7.2% | 10.3% | +3.1 percentage points | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 2.8% | 2.6% | −0.2 percentage points | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 0.90% | 0.72% | −0.18 percentage points | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Adult With a Credit File | $65,500 | $77,400 | +18.2% | $63,200 |
| Card Balance per Adult With a Credit File | $3,760 | $4,650 | +23.7% | $4,350 |
Massachusetts Foreclosure Law Summary
If you fall behind on mortgage payments, the steps and deadlines depend on state law. Massachusetts mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court.
Massachusetts is a non-judicial foreclosure state that uses the statutory power of sale to conduct mortgage foreclosures. The statutory power of sale — codified in M.G.L. c.
- Paying to stop the foreclosure: At least 90 days after the written §35A notice is given — for mortgages on residential property with up to four units that is the borrower's principal residence. Until then, the mortgagee cannot accelerate the loan or otherwise enforce the mortgage because of the missed payment. The right to cure is granted once during any 5-year period, regardless of who holds the mortgage.
How Massachusetts Sits Among the States
Massachusetts's credit card delinquency rate is 10.3%, 2.1 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%, and ranks #34 of 51. 2 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures are above the U.S. figure, and the State Distress Index reads 32 (low-moderate state distress). The Household Debt by State roundup covers all 51 jurisdictions.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in Massachusetts on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. Massachusetts's 14 counties average 35.0: on average, Massachusetts's counties are more distressed than 34% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hampden County | 77 | high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Bristol County | 53 | moderate county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Suffolk County | 46 | moderate-low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Berkshire County | 42 | moderate-low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Worcester County | 39 | low-moderate county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dukes County | 11 | very low county distress | Labor |
| Middlesex County | 14 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Norfolk County | 15 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Hampshire County | 23 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Nantucket County | 24 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
The most distressed county in Massachusetts is Hampden County (77, high county distress); the least distressed is Dukes County (11, very low county distress).
Explore all 14 Massachusetts counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Massachusetts
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 9,341 mortgage complaints from Massachusetts since 2012, 133.4 per 100,000 residents, 1.6 below the U.S. rate of 135. Massachusetts ranks #16 of 51 on complaints per resident.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 485 | 615 | 464 | 408 | 380 | 382 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: Massachusetts
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. Massachusetts's rate of 72.6 is 96.5 below 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: Massachusetts
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Consumer Credit Explorer reports credit health from NY Fed / Equifax credit records. 8.6% of people with a credit file in Massachusetts have debt in collections, 5.3 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 12.0% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 30.2% 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: Massachusetts
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: Massachusetts
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. Massachusetts scores 63.4 out of 100 (Moderate), ranking #5 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 Massachusetts?
The credit card delinquency rate in Massachusetts is 10.3% as of Q4 2025, ranking #34 among the 51 states and DC, 2.1 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%. It is up 3.1 percentage points from 7.2% in Q4 2019.
How does Massachusetts's household debt compare with the U.S.?
The NY Fed reports a $77,400 total debt balance per adult with a credit file in Massachusetts, $14,200 above the U.S. $63,200 on the same basis. That is 18.2% higher than in Q4 2019. Massachusetts ranks #8 on that basis.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Massachusetts?
Auto loan delinquency in Massachusetts is 2.6% as of Q4 2025, 2.6 percentage points below the U.S. 5.2%. This ranks #51 of 51. The rate is down from 2.8% in Q4 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Massachusetts use?
Massachusetts mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. See our Massachusetts foreclosure guide for the timeline, homeowner protections and where to get free help.
What is Massachusetts's State Distress Index score?
Massachusetts scores 32 on the State Distress Index (low-moderate state distress), which means it is more distressed than 32% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #35 of 51 jurisdictions, in the second-least 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 Massachusetts?
The CFPB has received 9,341 mortgage complaints from Massachusetts since 2012, 133.4 per 100,000 residents, 1.6 below the U.S. rate of 135. That ranks #16 of 51. Companies responded to 98.2% of Massachusetts complaints on time.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts had 5,085 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, 72.6 per 100,000 residents, 96.5 below the U.S. rate of 169.1. This ranks #47 of 51. Chapter 7 filings account for 68% and Chapter 13 for 30%. That is 12.2% more filings than in 2024.
What percentage of people in Massachusetts have debt in collections?
8.6% of people with a credit file in Massachusetts have debt in collections, 5.3 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. This ranks #47 of 51. 12.0% have subprime credit scores (below 620), 4.9 percentage points below 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 Massachusetts?
889,327 residents of Massachusetts received SNAP benefits in June 2026, an enrollment rate of 12.5%, 1.7 percentage points above the U.S. rate of 10.8%. This ranks #12 of 51. That is 17.6% fewer people than in June 2025. The rate is 1.8 percentage points above the October 2019 to February 2020 average.
How strong is Massachusetts's financial safety net?
Massachusetts scores 63.4 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #5 of 51 (Moderate). The score combines Medicaid coverage (21.9% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (12.5%), and foreclosure legal protections. That is above the state average of 43.6.
Which Massachusetts counties have the highest financial distress?
Hampden County is the most distressed county in Massachusetts with a County Distress Index score of 77 · high county distress. Bristol County (53 · moderate county distress), Suffolk County (46 · moderate-low county distress), Berkshire County (42 · moderate-low county distress) are next. Dukes County is the least distressed at 11 · very low county distress. See all 14 counties at /counties/massachusetts/.
How long can foreclosure take in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts 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: At least 90 days after the written §35A notice is given — for mortgages on residential property with up to four units that is the borrower's principal residence. Until then, the mortgagee cannot accelerate the loan or otherwise enforce the mortgage because of the missed payment. The right to cure is granted once during any 5-year period, regardless of who holds the mortgage. Homestead exemption: $125,000 automatically; $1,000,000 with a recorded declaration. Full details at /help/foreclosure/massachusetts/.
Where does Massachusetts rank for financial distress?
Massachusetts scores 32 on the State Distress Index (low-moderate state distress), which means it is more distressed than 32% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #35 of 51 jurisdictions, in the second-least distressed fifth. 2 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures are above the U.S. figure. The State Distress Index domain with the highest score is Debt Burden (housing basis). County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #5 (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. 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.
Massachusetts 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.