Credit card delinquency increased across the country between the first and second quarters of 2026, according to a new WalletHub ranking of all 50 states. Vermont recorded the largest increase, while Iowa ranked ninth among states with the biggest rises.
The comparison examined residents’ credit card delinquency rates in the first and second quarters of the year. Iowa’s rate reached 20.91% in the second quarter, up 6.28% from the first quarter, according to the study. The ranking measures the change over that period rather than simply identifying the states with the highest delinquency rates.
Vermont recorded the largest increase
Vermont had the biggest increase in credit card delinquency, with its rate rising 8.52% between the first and second quarters of 2026. The study placed Iowa at No. 9 nationally for the size of its increase.
At the other end of the ranking, Wyoming had the smallest increase. Its credit card delinquency rate rose 2.21% from the first quarter to the second quarter.
| State | Change in delinquency | Reported second-quarter detail |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont | Largest increase | Up 8.52% from Q1 |
| Iowa | 9th-largest increase | 20.91% delinquent; up 6.28% |
| Wyoming | Smallest increase | Up 2.21% from Q1 |
What the comparison measures
Credit card delinquency generally refers to accounts with payments past due. In this report, WalletHub compared the change in delinquency rates from one quarter to the next across the states. The figures therefore show how conditions shifted during the first half of 2026, rather than providing a single nationwide delinquency rate.
The results offer a state-by-state view of rising payment problems as credit card balances become delinquent. Iowa’s position in the top 10 reflects the size of its increase between the two quarters, while Vermont’s result marks the largest movement in the comparison. Wyoming’s result indicates the smallest increase among the states included in the ranking.
- Vermont: The largest increase, at 8.52% between the first and second quarters.
- Iowa: Ranked ninth, with 20.91% of credit cards delinquent in the second quarter and a 6.28% increase.
- Wyoming: Had the smallest increase, at 2.21%.
WalletHub published the full 50-state report on its website. The comparison covers the first and second quarters of 2026 and does not describe later-quarter results.
