Every year, financial pressure builds across the U.S.—but in 2026, the strain has reached alarming levels in several major cities.
Rising living costs, increasing debt, and economic uncertainty are pushing millions of Americans to the edge. According to a new WalletHub analysis of the 100 largest U.S. cities, financial distress is no longer isolated—it is widespread and intensifying.
The report evaluates nine major indicators, including credit health, bankruptcy rates, and accounts in distress, revealing where Americans are struggling the most…