Queens Ranked Second for Foreclosure Risk in 2026
High mortgage burdens place Queens homeowners at significant financial risk among six counties in New York.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Residential
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Queens reported a foreclosure risk score of 60.4 in the 2026 New York Foreclosure Risk Index, trailing only The Bronx. The findings highlight financial strain for residents across multiple counties in the state.
Why it matters
The elevated risk in Queens is driven primarily by a heavy mortgage cost burden, with nearly half of mortgaged owners spending over 30% of their income on housing. This creates a difficult environment for household financial stability and long-term planning.
Queens received a 60.4 foreclosure risk score in 2026, while 48.3% of its mortgaged homeowners spend more than 30% of their income on housing. This risk is compounded by a market where 9.4% of listings include price cuts and the median time to sell exceeds 70 days.
The players
New York State
The state government provides oversight for housing and lending regulations that impact local foreclosure proceedings.
The details
Foreclosure risk scores were calculated by normalizing local data for market softness, mortgage cost burdens, 90-day delinquency rates, and unemployment. For residents in high-risk areas, these factors suggest that household income is stretched thin by existing mortgage obligations. When listings linger on the market for over 70 days and price cuts become common, homeowners may face fewer options for refinancing or selling their way out of financial distress.
Timeline
The New York Foreclosure Risk Index was published in 2026.
Money Landscape
The foreclosure risks observed across these six New York counties underscore how many households currently exceed the federal 30% housing cost-to-income affordability threshold. This data marks a departure from traditional housing stability, reflecting elevated financial pressure on local budgets.
If you are struggling to manage a mortgage payment that exceeds 30% of your income, consider speaking with a housing counselor or a financial professional to discuss potential relief options. Regularly reviewing your debt-to-income ratio can help you identify if your housing costs are creating long-term risks for your household budget.
The takeaway
High housing costs relative to income remain a primary indicator of long-term foreclosure risk in Queens and across New York. Reviewing your current mortgage terms and assessing whether you are over-leveraged is a prudent step for any homeowner feeling current financial strain.
Further reading
For context on how market shifts affect regional housing, visit New York Residential.
Source note: This article includes information reported by QNS.
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