WalletHub Ranks Kansas Most Financially Stressed State, Maine Least, as Only 16% Feel Financially Fulfilled
Updated
Updated · Mentalfloss · Jul 22
WalletHub Ranks Kansas Most Financially Stressed State, Maine Least, as Only 16% Feel Financially Fulfilled
3 articles · Updated · Mentalfloss · Jul 22
Summary
Kansas ranked as the most financially stressed state in WalletHub’s latest analysis, while Maine ranked least stressed among U.S. states.
A roughly 12% rise in Kansas non-business bankruptcy filings and heavy online searches for terms like “debt” and “loans” helped push the state to the top.
Louisiana, Florida, Texas and South Carolina rounded out the five most stressed states, with Southern states also posting high levels of distressed accounts, deferred payments and bankruptcy shifts.
Maine scored well on distressed accounts, credit scores, low debt-related searches and the smallest change in bankruptcy filings from March 2025 to March 2026; Rhode Island, Hawaii, Vermont and Michigan also made the top five least stressed.
Nationwide, Gallup found only 16% of U.S. and Canada adults feel financially fulfilled, while 32% feel stressed and 51% conflicted, with 31% citing the high cost of living as their biggest financial problem.