Cave Creek at a glance
- Population: 5,152 people, the 57th-largest place among Arizona's 91 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 4,895 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: up about 5.3% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Arizona places: 57th by size among 91 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 37% of the places in Arizona (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 33.8362 latitude, -111.9821 longitude (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Scottsdale, AZ (13 mi); Peoria, AZ (19 mi); Phoenix, AZ (19 mi); Paradise Valley, AZ (20 mi); Fountain Hills, AZ (21 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Smaller towns nearby: Carefree, AZ (4 mi); Dewey-Humboldt, AZ (49 mi); Star Valley, AZ (52 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Cave Creek
Unlike a revolving credit card, a personal loan is closed-end: the balance falls on a fixed schedule and the payment does not change.
Judge an offer by its APR, which blends the interest rate with fees, and use the personal loan calculator to see the total cost.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
A useful rule is to keep the new payment inside the room your budget already has, so the loan eases pressure instead of adding to it.
Arizona lending rules that apply in Cave Creek
The Arizona rate caps and licensing rules that reach Cave Creek are listed below, each with its source and retrieval date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 10% per year default; any rate may be agreed in writing (other than medical debt) Source says: "interest shall be at the rate of ten percent a year, unless a different rate is contracted for in writing". | Arizona State Legislature — A.R.S. § 44-1201 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Not permitted — payday lending authorization expired June 30, 2010; DIFI no longer licenses payday lenders; consumer loans over 36% APR illegal since July 1, 2010 Source says: "The law allowing payday loans in Arizona expired on June 30, 2010. DIFI no longer licenses payday lenders." | Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer lender license required from the deputy director (A.R.S. Title 6, Chapter 5); at least $25,000 in assets readily available per licensed office; license not transferable Source says: "shall not engage in the business of a consumer lender without first being licensed as a consumer lender". | Arizona State Legislature — A.R.S. § 6-603 as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI) Source says: "The Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI)". | Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Consumer lender loan rate caps (§ 6-632) | Consumer loans: 36% per year on principal up to $3,000; for larger loans, 36% on the first $3,000 and 24% above $3,000 Source says: "a consumer loan rate of thirty-six per cent"; "a consumer loan rate of twenty-four per cent on that part of the principal amount greater than three thousand dollars". | Arizona State Legislature — A.R.S. § 6-632 as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Cave Creek
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Cave Creek:
- 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 Arizona using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.