US Household Debt-to-Income Ratio Drops to 79.9% in Q1 2026
Total US household debt remained nearly flat at $18.79 trillion in Q1 2026, rising 3.2% year-over-year. The debt-to-disposable income ratio fell to 79.9%, the lowest since 2003 except for two pandemic-era quarters, as disposable income hit a record. Student loan delinquency rates surged to 10.3% after federal forbearance ended in 2025, driving the overall 90-day delinquency rate to 3.36%, the highest since before the pandemic. Foreclosures edged up to 59,160, still below pre-pandemic levels. Third-party collections rose to 5.0% of consumers, up from a rock-bottom in Q4. Bankruptcies increased to 124,020, remaining historically low. The New York Fed's Household Debt and Credit Report, in partnership with Equifax, provided the data.
Key facts
- Total household debt in Q1 2026 was $18.79 trillion, nearly unchanged from prior quarter.
- Year-over-year household debt rose by 3.2% ($591 billion).
- Debt-to-disposable income ratio dropped to 79.9%, a record low outside pandemic stimulus quarters.
- Student loan 90+ day delinquency rate reached 10.3% after federal forbearance ended in 2025.
- Overall 90-day delinquency rate rose to 3.36%, the highest since before the pandemic.
- Foreclosures totaled 59,160 in Q1, still below 2018-2019 levels.
- Third-party collection entries affected 5.0% of consumers, up from Q4 rock-bottom.
- Bankruptcy filings edged up to 124,020, remaining historically low.
Entities
Institutions
- New York Fed
- Equifax
- Bureau of Economic Analysis
Locations
- United States