Aztec at a glance
- Population: about 6,130 residents, ranking 30th of 105 Census places in New Mexico (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 6,211 people at the 2020 Census, the baseline for the trend below (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a loss of about 1.3% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among New Mexico places: 30th largest of 105 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: larger than about 71% of the Census places in New Mexico (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 36.8159, -107.9703.
- Nearest larger cities: Bloomfield, NM (5 mi); Farmington, NM (12 mi); Durango, CO (31 mi); Cortez, CO (50 mi); Gallup, NM (100 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Smaller towns nearby: Kirtland, NM (22 mi); Ignacio, CO (28 mi); Bayfield, CO (36 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Aztec
A personal loan is structured as an installment plan, with a set number of monthly payments and a fixed amount due each time.
Two loans can share an interest rate and still differ in APR once fees are counted, so compare APR; our personal loan calculator shows the difference over the full term.
Stretching the term lowers the monthly payment but raises the total interest you pay, so the smallest payment is not automatically the cheapest loan.
Work out the payment you can comfortably carry each month first, then borrow no more than that figure supports.
New Mexico lending rules that apply in Aztec
The New Mexico rate caps and licensing rules that reach Aztec are listed below, each with its source and retrieval date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State lending regulator | New Mexico Financial Institutions Division (FID), Regulation and Licensing Department Source says: "We regulate a variety of financial institutions operating in New Mexico including:" | New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Financial Institutions Division as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small loan company licensing/regulation | Small loan companies are a regulated institution category of the Financial Institutions Division Source says: "Small Loan Companies" | New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Financial Institutions Division as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 15% annually absent a written contract fixing a different rate (NMSA 1978, 56-8-3) Source says: "The rate of interest, in the absence of a written contract fixing a different rate, shall be not more than fifteen percent annually" | New Mexico Compilation Commission (NMOneSource, official NMSA) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Payday-style small loans capped at 36% APR (HB 132 of 2022; effective January 1, 2023; cap rises only if prime rate exceeds 10% for three consecutive months) Source says: "a permitted annual percentage rate greater than thirty-six percent, calculated pursuant to 12 CFR Part 1026" | New Mexico Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Lenders making Bank Installment Loan Act loans (other than federally insured depositories) must be licensed under the Small Loan Act (2022 requirement) Source says: "a new requirement for lenders making loans under the BILA (other than a federally insured depository institution) to be licensed under the SLA" | New Mexico Legislature (Legislative Finance Committee fiscal impact report) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Aztec
Before you commit to a personal loan in Aztec, work through these steps:
- 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 New Mexico using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.