San Antonio, TX, October 12, 2025
News Summary
The San Antonio-New Braunfels metro area has reported the highest rate of delinquent mortgages among large U.S. metro areas, reaching 4.3%. This alarming statistic highlights increasing financial distress among homeowners, especially as the average delinquency for severely delinquent mortgages is at 1.0%. Economic pressures including a slowing national economy and rising costs are contributing factors, leading to fears of potential foreclosures. Regional comparisons show similar trends in other cities, raising concerns about long-term implications for household wealth and housing markets in the area.
San Antonio
San Antonio-New Braunfels metro area has the highest rate of delinquent mortgages among large U.S. metro areas at 4.3%. This figure places the region at the top of large metropolitan areas for homeowners who are behind on mortgage payments, and signals growing stress among borrowers in a market where mortgage debt remains the largest component of household liabilities.
The rate of homeowners who are severely delinquent (more than 90 days behind) in San Antonio is 1.0%. While a smaller share than the overall delinquency rate, the severe delinquency measure is an important indicator of long-term payment distress that may eventually lead to foreclosure or other loss mitigation actions.
Supporting statistics and regional comparisons
- McAllen ranks as the midsize metro area with the highest mortgage delinquency rate at 6.7%.
- Laredo holds the top spot as the small metro area with the most significant mortgage delinquency, at 10.3%.
- Nationally, the average for delinquent mortgages over 30 days was about 11.5% during the peak of the 2008 financial crisis.
- Mortgage loans constitute over 70% of U.S. household debt, totaling more than $12.9 trillion.
- The average delinquency rate across the top five cities with the highest rates was 16.66% in Q2, with an average change of -5.88% between Q1 and Q2 of 2024.
Why delinquency rates are rising
The rising delinquency rates align with trends observed in other loan types, including auto, student, and credit card debt, which have also surpassed pre-pandemic levels. Several economic pressures are cited as contributing factors: Conveyed challenges for homeowners include a slowing national economy, increased costs from tariffs, policy uncertainty, and a cooling labor market. Those pressures can reduce household income or increase expenses, making mortgage payments harder to meet for at-risk borrowers.
The delinquency rates tend to be higher in regions with elevated unemployment, poverty levels, and lower property values. Local economic conditions remain an important driver of mortgage performance: areas with weaker job markets and lower home equity are more vulnerable to extended payment problems.
Policy background and pandemic effects
The COVID-19 pandemic initially resulted in financial aid measures such as mortgage forbearance, but inflation and rising costs are creating renewed challenges for homeowners. Early pandemic supports limited the immediate rise in delinquencies; however, as those supports ended and household budgets came under pressure from higher prices and slower wage growth in some sectors, delinquency patterns have shifted upward in multiple loan categories.
Implications
Mortgage delinquencies matter because mortgage debt makes up the bulk of household liabilities nationwide and sustained increases in serious delinquencies can affect household wealth, local housing markets, lenders’ balance sheets, and broader financial stability. The contrast between localized metro-area strains and past nationwide peaks—such as the 2008 crisis peak—provides context for both the scale and geographic concentration of current distress.
Key figures at a glance
| Measure | Value / Detail |
|---|---|
| San Antonio (large metro delinquency) | San Antonio-New Braunfels metro area has the highest rate of delinquent mortgages among large U.S. metro areas at 4.3%. |
| San Antonio (severe delinquency) | The rate of homeowners who are severely delinquent (more than 90 days behind) in San Antonio is 1.0%. |
| McAllen (midsize metro) | McAllen ranks as the midsize metro area with the highest mortgage delinquency rate at 6.7%. |
| Laredo (small metro) | Laredo holds the top spot as the small metro area with the most significant mortgage delinquency, at 10.3%. |
| 2008 peak (Nationwide) | Nationally, the average for delinquent mortgages over 30 days was about 11.5% during the peak of the 2008 financial crisis. |
| Mortgage debt (Nationwide) | Mortgage loans constitute over 70% of U.S. household debt, totaling more than $12.9 trillion. |
| Top-five average (Q2 2024) | The average delinquency rate across the top five cities with the highest rates was 16.66% in Q2, with an average change of -5.88% between Q1 and Q2 of 2024. |
Simple visual charts of select delinquency rates
Timeline of related events
| Date / Period | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Nationally, the average for delinquent mortgages over 30 days was about 11.5% during the peak of the 2008 financial crisis. | Historical data (provided) |
| 2020 (COVID-19 pandemic period) | The COVID-19 pandemic initially resulted in financial aid measures such as mortgage forbearance, but inflation and rising costs are creating renewed challenges for homeowners. | Pandemic-era policy and subsequent economic effects (provided) |
| Q1–Q2 2024 | The average delinquency rate across the top five cities with the highest rates was 16.66% in Q2, with an average change of -5.88% between Q1 and Q2 of 2024. | Recent quarterly data (provided) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which metro area has the highest rate of delinquent mortgages among large U.S. metro areas?
San Antonio-New Braunfels metro area has the highest rate of delinquent mortgages among large U.S. metro areas at 4.3%.
What is the rate of severe delinquency in San Antonio?
The rate of homeowners who are severely delinquent (more than 90 days behind) in San Antonio is 1.0%.
Which midsize and small metros have the highest mortgage delinquency rates?
McAllen ranks as the midsize metro area with the highest mortgage delinquency rate at 6.7%. Laredo holds the top spot as the small metro area with the most significant mortgage delinquency, at 10.3%.
How did delinquency rates compare during the 2008 financial crisis?
Nationally, the average for delinquent mortgages over 30 days was about 11.5% during the peak of the 2008 financial crisis.
What share of household debt is mortgage loans and how large is it?
Mortgage loans constitute over 70% of U.S. household debt, totaling more than $12.9 trillion.
Have delinquency patterns changed recently among different loan types?
The rising delinquency rates align with trends observed in other loan types, including auto, student, and credit card debt, which have also surpassed pre-pandemic levels.
What economic challenges are cited for homeowners?
Conveyed challenges for homeowners include a slowing national economy, increased costs from tariffs, policy uncertainty, and a cooling labor market.
Where are delinquency rates typically higher?
The delinquency rates tend to be higher in regions with elevated unemployment, poverty levels, and lower property values.
What recent quarterly averages are reported for top cities?
The average delinquency rate across the top five cities with the highest rates was 16.66% in Q2, with an average change of -5.88% between Q1 and Q2 of 2024.
How did pandemic-era measures affect mortgage delinquencies?
The COVID-19 pandemic initially resulted in financial aid measures such as mortgage forbearance, but inflation and rising costs are creating renewed challenges for homeowners.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- San Antonio Current
- Wikipedia: Mortgage Delinquency
- News 4 San Antonio
- Google Search: Mortgage Delinquency
- National Mortgage News
- Google Scholar: Mortgage Delinquency
- Money Talks News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mortgage Delinquency
- Live Now FOX
- Google News: Mortgage Delinquency
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
