Arlington at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 398,431, placing it 7th among Texas's 1,224 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 394,265 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: an increase of about 1.1% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Texas places: 7th of the state's 1,224 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 99% of Texas's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: mapped at 32.7007, -97.1247 by the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Fort Worth, TX (14 mi); Dallas, TX (22 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Smaller towns nearby: Pantego, TX (2 mi); Dalworthington Gardens, TX (2 mi); Grand Prairie, TX (6 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Arlington
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
APR is the figure that lets you compare like with like, since it wraps fees into the rate; run your own numbers with the personal loan calculator.
Stretching the term lowers the monthly payment but raises the total interest you pay, so the smallest payment is not automatically the cheapest loan.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
Texas lending rules that apply in Arlington
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | License required for non-depository lenders charging more than 10% interest; Chapter 342 governs consumer loans (Tex. Fin. Code § 342.051) Source says: Non-depository lenders who engage in making, transacting, or collecting loans with a rate of interest greater than 10% must be licensed by the OCCC. | Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC) Source says: The OCCC licenses and regulates non-depository lenders in the state of Texas. | Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 10% per year maximum; a greater rate is usurious unless otherwise provided by law (Tex. Fin. Code § 302.001) Source says: The maximum rate or amount of interest is 10 percent a year except as otherwise provided by law. | Texas Legislature (Texas Constitution and Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal via licensed credit access businesses (payday/title-loan brokers); the third-party lender itself is not licensed (Tex. Fin. Code ch. 393) Source says: the credit access business that serves as the broker is the licensee in this regulated industry | Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Arlington
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Arlington:
- Pull your free credit reports and dispute any error — it is the cheapest way to improve the rate you are offered.
- Run your figures through the personal loan calculator on this site so you know the payment before a lender quotes one.
- Pre-qualify with at least three lenders and compare the APR, not the interest rate.
- Check that the lender is licensed in Texas using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.