SAN ANTONIO — A new report shows that San Antonio ranks sixth among 100 U.S. cities for residents experiencing financial distress, according to 2026 data from WalletHub.
The analysis defines financial distress as having one or more credit accounts in forbearance or with deferred payments because households cannot keep up with regular bills. Researchers also considered bankruptcy filings and low credit scores to measure financial strain.
WalletHub reporter Chip Lupo said residents may face growing debt even when payments are paused, as interest continues to accrue on multiple accounts. He noted that financial distress is not unique to San Antonio, but reflects a broader trend across Texas, which ranked first in financial strain among all states.
High home prices and wages that have not kept pace with inflation contribute to the problem, Lupo said, leading many households to rely on credit cards to supplement income.
WalletHub identified the top six U.S. cities with the most residents in financial distress as Chicago, Houston, Las Vegas, Dallas, Los Angeles, and San Antonio.