Rhode Island Financial Distress Profile
Composite distress data for 5 counties, updated quarterly from federal sources. Household debt, delinquency, foreclosure law, and county-level distress scores compared to national averages.
· Data from NY Fed, CFPB, BLS, US Courts, Q4 2025
Behind on your mortgage in Rhode Island? See your options under Rhode Island law →
Rhode Island ranks #25 nationally for household financial distress. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 5 counties. The national State Distress Index average is 50.0.
How Does Rhode Island Compare to the National Average?
Rhode Island is above the national average on 2 of 5 key household distress metrics. Credit card delinquency stands at 11.4% (below the 12.4% national rate), auto loan delinquency at 3.5%, and total debt per capita at $60,090.
Since 2019, credit card delinquency in Rhode Island has risen 3.3pp and total household debt has grown 17.4%. The state shows a mixed distress picture across different debt categories.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: Rhode Island
Domain Breakdown
The national American Distress Index reads 44.6 (Typical). On average, its inputs sit higher than in 45% of their own quarterly histories since 2005. Rhode Island's State Distress Index of 52.3 (Middle fifth) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, labor, and the safety-net buffer.
Rhode Island vs. National Average
Delinquency rates measure the share of loan accounts 30 or more days past due. Higher rates signal greater household financial stress. Debt and balance figures are per capita, adjusted for state population.
Download all states (CSV)Rhode Island vs. National: 5 Key Metrics (Q4 2025)
Source: NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax, Q4 2025.
Similar States by Distress Level
States ranked closest to Rhode Island (#25) on the State Distress Index. Peer comparison reveals whether distress patterns are regional or structural.
| State | SDI Score | Quintile | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | 52.3 | Middle fifth | Labor |
| Pennsylvania | 57.8 | Middle fifth | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Tennessee | 53.8 | Middle fifth | Default & Legal |
| North Carolina | 52.1 | Middle fifth | Delinquency |
Change Since 2019
Pre-pandemic 2019 values provide a baseline for how distress has evolved. Credit card and auto loan delinquency have risen sharply in most states since pandemic-era forbearance protections expired.
| Metric | 2019 | 2025 | Change | Nat'l 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Card Delinquency | 8.1% | 11.4% | +3.3pp | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 3.1% | 3.5% | +0.4pp | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 1.07% | 1.00% | -0.1pp | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Capita | $51,170 | $60,090 | +17.4% | $63,200 |
| CC Balance per Capita | $3,540 | $4,490 | +26.8% | $4,350 |
Rhode Island Foreclosure Law Summary
Understanding your state's foreclosure process is critical if you fall behind on mortgage payments. Rhode Island primarily uses non-judicial foreclosure.
Rhode Island is a dual-track state. Non-judicial foreclosure by power of sale is the dominant method under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-27-1 et seq. The statutory power of sale was enacted in 2013 (P.L. 2013, ch. 128) to create a uniform process.
Full Rhode Island foreclosure law guide →State-Level Divergence
National averages mask wide variation across states. Rhode Island's credit card delinquency of 11.4% falls below the national 12.4%, but other metrics tell a more nuanced story. With 2 of 5 tracked metrics above national averages and a Distress Index of 52.3 (Middle fifth), the pressure on Rhode Island households is real. The Household Debt by State roundup tracks all 51 jurisdictions.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in Rhode Island on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. Rhode Island's 5 counties average 33.7 — below the national county mean of 50.0.
Distress Fifth Distribution
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Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Distress Fifth | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence County | 58.7 | Second-most distressed fifth | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Kent County | 38.0 | Second-least distressed fifth | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Newport County | 28.8 | Least distressed fifth | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Washington County | 22.0 | Least distressed fifth | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Bristol County | 20.9 | Least distressed fifth | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
Providence County ranks #1100 most distressed nationally out of 3,144 counties.
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Distress Fifth | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol County | 20.9 | Least distressed fifth | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Washington County | 22.0 | Least distressed fifth | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Newport County | 28.8 | Least distressed fifth | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Kent County | 38.0 | Second-least distressed fifth | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Providence County | 58.7 | Second-most distressed fifth | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
The gap between Rhode Island's most and least distressed counties is 37.8 points — Providence County (58.7, Second-most distressed fifth) vs. Bristol County (20.9, Least distressed fifth). That spread reveals two very different economic realities within the same state.
Explore all 5 Rhode Island counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Rhode Island
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 1,462 mortgage complaints from Rhode Island since 2012 — 133.4 per 100,000 residents, above the national rate of 129.3 per 100K. Rhode Island ranks #14 of 51 jurisdictions for complaint density.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 91 | 100 | 100 | 75 | 59 | 76 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: Rhode Island
Bankruptcy filings reflect the downstream consequence of sustained financial distress — when households exhaust savings, fall behind on debt, and run out of alternatives. Rhode Island's filing rate is below the national average.
Source: U.S. Courts, Administrative Office. Table F-2: Cases Commenced by Chapter. Per-capita rates use 2024 Census population estimates.
Credit Distress: Rhode Island
The Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer tracks credit health metrics from Equifax data. 10.6% of Rhode Island residents have debt in collections — below the national rate of 13.9%. 15.0% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 35.2% are credit-constrained.
Source: Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer. Data from NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax. 2025 Q1.
Economic Context: Rhode Island
SNAP enrollment and unemployment rates provide upstream context for household debt distress. Higher food assistance enrollment signals that more families are struggling with basic expenses, while elevated unemployment directly reduces income available for debt service.
Sources: USDA Food and Nutrition Service, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics. Population: U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimates.
Safety Net Strength: Rhode Island
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. Rhode Island scores 47.4 out of 100 (Weak), ranking #28 of 51 jurisdictions.
Component Breakdown
Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation (Medicaid, 2024), USDA FNS (SNAP, 2025), U.S. Treasury HAF program status, state foreclosure statutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the credit card delinquency rate in Rhode Island?
The credit card delinquency rate in Rhode Island is 11.4% as of Q4 2025, ranking #25 among all states and DC. The national average is 12.4%. This rate has risen from 8.1% in 2019.
How does Rhode Island's household debt compare to the national average?
Rhode Island residents carry $60,090 in total debt per capita, below the national average of $63,200. Debt per capita has grown 17.4% since 2019. Rhode Island ranks #23 nationally for total household debt per capita.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Rhode Island?
Auto loan delinquency in Rhode Island stands at 3.5% as of Q4 2025, below the national rate of 5.2%. This ranks #38 nationally. The rate has risen from 3.1% in 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Rhode Island use?
Rhode Island primarily uses non-judicial foreclosure. This allows lenders to foreclose without court proceedings, resulting in a faster process. See our full Rhode Island foreclosure law guide for timelines, protections, and legal resources.
Is Rhode Island above or below the national average for financial distress?
Rhode Island scores 52.3 on the State Distress Index (Middle fifth), ranking #25 of 51 jurisdictions. That is 2.3 points above the national state average of 50.0. This composite score is built from 4 domains: delinquency, default and legal, labor, and safety net and buffer. Separately, the national American Distress Index reads 44.6 (Typical) for the country over time. On average, its inputs sit higher than in 45% of their own quarterly histories since 2005.
How many CFPB mortgage complaints have been filed in Rhode Island?
The CFPB has received 1,462 mortgage complaints from Rhode Island since 2012, a rate of 133.4 per 100,000 residents. This ranks #14 of 51 jurisdictions. The national average is 129.3 per 100K. Companies responded to 97.8% of Rhode Island complaints within the required timeframe.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island had 1,077 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, a rate of 98.3 per 100,000 residents — below the national rate of 169.1 per 100K. This ranks #37 of 51 jurisdictions. Chapter 7 filings account for 73% and Chapter 13 for 25.7%. Filings changed +19.1% year-over-year.
What percentage of people in Rhode Island have debt in collections?
10.6% of individuals in Rhode Island have debt in collections, below the national rate of 13.9%. This ranks #35 of 51 jurisdictions. Additionally, 15.0% of Rhode Island residents have subprime credit scores (below 620), compared to 16.9% nationally. Data from the Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer (NY Fed / Equifax).
What is the SNAP enrollment rate in Rhode Island?
127,709 residents of Rhode Island receive SNAP benefits, an enrollment rate of 11.5% — above the national rate of 11.2%. This ranks #17 of 51 jurisdictions. SNAP participation has changed -13.7% year-over-year. The pre-pandemic rate was 13.2%.
How strong is Rhode Island's financial safety net?
Rhode Island scores 47.4 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #28 of 51 jurisdictions (Weak). The score combines Medicaid coverage (23.2% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (11.5%), Homeowner Assistance Fund status (winding down), and foreclosure legal protections. The national average is 48.1.
Which Rhode Island counties have the highest financial distress?
Providence County is the most distressed county in Rhode Island with a County Distress Index score of 58.7 (Second-most distressed fifth), ranking #1100 nationally out of 3,144 counties. Kent County (38.0), Newport County (28.8), Washington County (22.0) round out the top distressed counties. Bristol County is the least distressed at 20.9 (Least distressed fifth). See all 5 counties at /counties/rhode-island/.
How long can foreclosure take in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island uses non-judicial foreclosure, which allows lenders to foreclose without court proceedings. Timeline varies by county and complexity. Homeowners have a right to cure: Before the foreclosure sale is completed. Rhode Island does not have a specific …. The homestead exemption is $500,000. Full details at /help/foreclosure/rhode-island/.
Where does Rhode Island rank for financial distress?
Rhode Island scores 52.3 on the State Distress Index (Middle fifth), ranking #25 of 51 jurisdictions. 2 of 5 key metrics exceed national averages. The highest SDI domain is Labor. County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #28 (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. Updated quarterly.
American Distress Index
Composite index tracking U.S. household financial distress across five equal-weighted domains. National score as of the latest available quarter.
Rhode Island 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 (2025), U.S. Treasury HAF program status, and state foreclosure legal protections.