Boulder at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 1,283, placing it 48th among Montana's 127 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 1,201 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 6.8% more residents than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Montana places: 48th by size among 127 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 62% of places in Montana are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 46.2358, longitude -112.1197 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Helena, MT (25 mi); East Helena, MT (26 mi); Townsend, MT (29 mi); Deer Lodge, MT (31 mi); Three Forks, MT (36 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Nearest smaller communities: Walkerville, MT (24 mi); Whitehall, MT (25 mi); Twin Bridges, MT (49 mi), each a US Census place.
What a personal loan costs in Boulder
Personal loans are closed-end installment debt, so the monthly payment and the payoff date are known from the start.
Compare every quote on APR because it includes the fees the interest rate hides, and check the payment with our personal loan calculator.
Lenders weigh your credit history, income and debts when they set the rate, and the term you choose then determines how that rate compounds into total cost.
Work out the payment you can comfortably carry each month first, then borrow no more than that figure supports.
Montana lending rules that apply in Boulder
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | Greater of 15% or prime rate + 6 percentage points per year (written agreement); regulated lenders exempt Source says: "Parties may agree in writing to the payment of any rate of interest that does not exceed the greater of 15%" | Montana Legislative Services Division (Montana Code Annotated) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal; deferred deposit lenders must be licensed; fee capped at 36% per annum Source says: "A licensee may not charge a fee for making or carrying each deferred deposit loan authorized by this part that exceeds 36% per annum" | Montana Legislative Services Division (Montana Code Annotated) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer loan license required under the Montana Consumer Loan Act (32-5-101); licensing through NMLS Source says: "A consumer loan license is needed to engage in business as defined in the Montana Consumer Loan Act" | Montana Department of Administration, Division of Banking and Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions (BFID), Department of Administration Source says: "The Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions (Division) does all of its licensing through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS)." | Montana Department of Administration, Division of Banking and Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
| Deferred deposit loan license requirement (MCA 31-1-705) | A person may not engage in or offer to engage in the business of making deferred deposit loans unless licensed by the department Source says: "A person may not engage in or offer to engage in the business of making deferred deposit loans unless licensed by the department." | Montana Legislative Services Division (Montana Code Annotated) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Boulder
These steps are the ones that most affect the offer you receive in Boulder:
- 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 Montana using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.