Queens Recorded Second-Highest Foreclosure Risk in 2026

The borough faced elevated financial pressure, trailing only the Bronx in a statewide analysis of mortgage stability.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Residential

Isometric editorial illustration of a row of uniform brick townhouses in a clean, geometric style representing urban housing density. — Queens recorded the state's second-highest foreclosure risk in 2026, driven by elevated mortgage cost burdens for local homeowners. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Data from the 2026 New York Foreclosure Risk Index identified Queens as having the second-highest risk of home foreclosures in the state. The Bronx registered the highest score among New York counties.

Why it matters

The high foreclosure risk in Queens is primarily attributed to a significant mortgage cost burden, with nearly half of local homeowners allocating a large portion of their income to housing. These figures underscore the financial strain impacting residents across major New York counties.

Approximately 48.3% of Queens homeowners spend more than 30% of their income on housing, while the median time for properties to sell exceeds 70 days. Additionally, 9.4% of current home listings in the borough feature price cuts.

The players

Queens

This borough is the second-most populous in New York City and faced the second-highest foreclosure risk in the state.

The Bronx

This borough holds the highest foreclosure risk score of any county in New York state.

The details

The risk scores were determined using a composite calculation of market softness, 90-day mortgage delinquency rates, unemployment, and mortgage cost burdens. Six counties across New York state recorded scores of at least 50, reflecting widespread vulnerability in the regional housing market.

The New York Foreclosure Risk Index was published in 2026.

Culture Shift

This data highlights a broader trend of economic fragility in dense urban housing markets that are experiencing prolonged sale windows. It reflects a shift where the cost of living increasingly outpaces traditional income levels for many residential property owners.

Homeowners in affected counties may need to reevaluate their household budgets to manage high mortgage cost burdens. Prospective buyers should consider the longer median selling times in Queens when timing their own property acquisitions or sales.

The takeaway

Maintaining a housing cost ratio below 30% of income is a standard benchmark for financial stability in residential markets. Homeowners facing rising costs should investigate local financial assistance resources or refinancing options to mitigate long-term foreclosure risks.