New York Financial Distress Profile
Household debt and delinquency, bankruptcy filings, unemployment, foreclosure law and county distress scores for New York and its 62 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 New York? See your options under New York law →
New York ranks #18 of 51 jurisdictions on the State Distress Index, in the second-most distressed fifth: its score of 66 means it is more distressed than 66% of the 50 states and D.C.. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 62 counties.
How Does New York Compare With the U.S.?
New York is above the U.S. figure on 3 of 5 household debt measures from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for Q4 2025: credit card delinquency (12.9%), mortgage delinquency (1.36%) and credit card balance per adult with a credit file ($4,820). Credit card delinquency is 12.9%, 0.5 percentage points above the U.S. 12.4%; total debt per adult with a credit file is $59,420, $3,780 below the U.S. $63,200.
Credit card delinquency in New York is up 3.9 percentage points from 9% in Q4 2019, and total debt per adult with a credit file is 15.9% higher than in Q4 2019.
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 State Distress Index score rose from 48 to 56 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. New York's State Distress Index of 66 (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 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)New York 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 New York (#18) 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 | 9.0% | 12.9% | +3.9 percentage points | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 4.1% | 4.3% | +0.2 percentage points | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 1.90% | 1.36% | −0.54 percentage points | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Adult With a Credit File | $51,280 | $59,420 | +15.9% | $63,200 |
| Card Balance per Adult With a Credit File | $4,010 | $4,820 | +20.2% | $4,350 |
New York Foreclosure Law Summary
If you fall behind on mortgage payments, the steps and deadlines depend on state law. New York mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts.
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.
- Paying to stop the foreclosure: New York does not have a specific statutory cure period with a fixed deadline like some states. Under RPAPL 1341, where part of the principal or interest is due and another part is not yet due, the borrower can pay into court the amount due for principal and interest, the costs of the action and any expenses of the sale proceedings: the court dismisses the complaint if the payment comes before the judgment directing sale, or stays the proceedings if it comes after that judgment and before the sale. Any other right to cure, and its deadline, depends on the terms of the mortgage.
- RPAPL 1304 — 90-Day Pre-Foreclosure Notice
- CPLR 3408 — Mandatory Settlement Conference
- RPAPL 1371 — Deficiency Judgment Protections
Judicial Foreclosure and Above-U.S. Delinquency
3 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures in New York are above the U.S. figure. New York mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts, so a lender needs a court order before a sale. Credit card delinquency is 12.9% (#13 of 51), and New York ranks #18 of 51 on the State Distress Index, in the second-most distressed fifth.
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 44.9: on average, New York's counties are more distressed than 44% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronx County | 98 | extreme county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Montgomery County | 75 | high county distress | Delinquency |
| Kings County | 71 | high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Oswego County | 66 | moderate-high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Sullivan County | 64 | moderate-high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
Bronx County ranks #45 most distressed nationally out of 3,144 counties.
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saratoga County | 9 | exceptionally low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Wyoming County | 11 | very low county distress | Labor |
| Ontario County | 16 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Genesee County | 20 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Putnam County | 21 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
The most distressed county in New York is Bronx County (98, extreme county distress); the least distressed is Saratoga County (9, exceptionally low county distress).
Explore all 62 New York counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in New York
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 27,215 mortgage complaints from New York since 2012, 139.1 per 100,000 residents, 4.1 above the U.S. rate of 135. New York ranks #13 of 51 on complaints per resident.
| 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 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. New York's rate of 118.5 is 50.6 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: New York
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 New York have debt in collections, 5.3 percentage points below the U.S. average 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. Q1 2025. The U.S. average is weighted by state population (our calculation).
Economic Context: New York
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: 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 76.5 out of 100 (Strong), ranking #2 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 New York?
The credit card delinquency rate in New York is 12.9% as of Q4 2025, ranking #13 among the 51 states and DC, 0.5 percentage points above the U.S. 12.4%. It is up 3.9 percentage points from 9% in Q4 2019.
How does New York's household debt compare with the U.S.?
The NY Fed reports a $59,420 total debt balance per adult with a credit file in New York, $3,780 below the U.S. $63,200 on the same basis. That is 15.9% higher than in Q4 2019. New York ranks #26 on that basis.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in New York?
Auto loan delinquency in New York is 4.3% as of Q4 2025, 0.9 percentage points below the U.S. 5.2%. This ranks #28 of 51. The rate is up from 4.1% in Q4 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does New York use?
New York mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts. See our New York foreclosure guide for the timeline, homeowner protections and where to get free help.
What is New York's State Distress Index score?
New York scores 66 on the State Distress Index (moderate-high state distress), which means it is more distressed than 66% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #18 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 New York?
The CFPB has received 27,215 mortgage complaints from New York since 2012, 139.1 per 100,000 residents, 4.1 above the U.S. rate of 135. That ranks #13 of 51. Companies responded to 98.2% of New York complaints on time.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in New York?
New York had 23,186 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, 118.5 per 100,000 residents, 50.6 below the U.S. rate of 169.1. This ranks #32 of 51. Chapter 7 filings account for 65.2% and Chapter 13 for 30%. That is 11% more filings than in 2024.
What percentage of people in New York have debt in collections?
8.6% of people with a credit file in New York have debt in collections, 5.3 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. This ranks #47 of 51. 14.7% have subprime credit scores (below 620), 2.2 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 New York?
2,720,960 residents of New York received SNAP benefits in June 2026, an enrollment rate of 13.9%, 3.1 percentage points above the U.S. rate of 10.8%. This ranks #5 of 51. That is 7.9% fewer people than in June 2025. The rate is 0.8 percentage points above the October 2019 to February 2020 average.
How strong is New York's financial safety net?
New York scores 76.5 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #2 of 51 (Strong). The score combines Medicaid coverage (28.8% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (13.9%), and foreclosure legal protections. That is above the state average of 43.6.
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 98 · extreme county distress, ranking #45 nationally out of 3,144 counties. Montgomery County (75 · high county distress), Kings County (71 · high county distress), Oswego County (66 · moderate-high county distress) are next. Saratoga County is the least distressed at 9 · exceptionally low county distress. See all 62 counties at /counties/new-york/.
How long can foreclosure take in New York?
New York mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts. In New York, foreclosures that finished in the second quarter of 2026 took an average of 2,007 days from the start of the foreclosure process to completion, according to ATTOM. Individual cases vary with cure periods, mediation, postponements, court backlogs and bankruptcy filings. Paying to stop the foreclosure: New York does not have a specific statutory cure period with a fixed deadline like some states. Under RPAPL 1341, where part of the principal or interest is due and another part is not yet due, the borrower can pay into court the amount due for principal and interest, the costs of the action and any expenses of the sale proceedings: the court dismisses the complaint if the payment comes before the judgment directing sale, or stays the proceedings if it comes after that judgment and before the sale. Any other right to cure, and its deadline, depends on the terms of the mortgage. Homestead exemption: $102,400 to $204,825 depending on county (CPLR 5206(a) amounts as adjusted by the Department of Financial Services, effective April 1, 2024), for property owned and occupied as a principal residence. The $204,825 amount applies in Kings, Queens, New York, Bronx, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, Westchester and Putnam counties; $170,700 in Dutchess, Albany, Columbia, Orange, Saratoga and Ulster counties; and $102,400 in all other counties. The next adjustment is scheduled for April 1, 2027. Full details at /help/foreclosure/new-york/.
Where does New York rank for financial distress?
New York scores 66 on the State Distress Index (moderate-high state distress), which means it is more distressed than 66% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #18 of 51 jurisdictions, in the second-most distressed fifth. 3 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 #2 (Strong).
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.
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 (latest month), and state foreclosure legal protections.