Fall River at a glance
- Population: roughly 93,840 people; 10th of 54 places in Massachusetts (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 93,984 people counted in the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down roughly 0.2% across the 2020-to-2023 comparison (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Massachusetts places: 10th in population of 54 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 81% of Massachusetts places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 41.7254, longitude -71.0942 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: New Bedford, MA (9 mi); Providence, RI (18 mi); Brockton, MA (25 mi); Quincy, MA (37 mi); Boston, MA (43 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Smaller towns nearby: Taunton, MA (12 mi); East Providence, RI (15 mi); Warwick, RI (17 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Fall River
Unlike a revolving credit card, a personal loan is closed-end: the balance falls on a fixed schedule and the payment does not change.
The number to compare is the APR, not the interest rate, because the APR folds in origination fees and other charges; our personal loan calculator will show what a given amount and term would cost.
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.
Massachusetts lending rules that apply in Fall River
Read the table as the compliance picture for a lender serving Fall River: label, sourced figure, publisher and date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State lending regulator | Division of Banks (Office of the Commissioner of Banks) Source says: "The Division of Banks (DOB) cautions you when applying for a payday loan" | Massachusetts Division of Banks as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan rate order | Maximum 23% per annum plus a $20 administrative fee (209 CMR 26.00/26.01) Source says: "Regulation 209 CMR 26.00 et seq. limits the annual interest rate that can be charged on small loans to 23%" | Massachusetts Division of Banks as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 20% per annum criminal-usury threshold (M.G.L. c. 271, § 49); statutory exceptions apply Source says: "interest and expenses the aggregate of which exceeds an amount greater than twenty per centum per annum upon the sum loaned" | Massachusetts General Court as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Restricted: DOB states payday lending is not prohibited, but a 'payday loan' is illegal due to the high APR Source says: "Payday lending is not prohibited in Massachusetts. Yet what is referred to as a 'payday loan' is illegal" | Massachusetts Division of Banks as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Small-loan license required for loans of $6,000 or less when interest and expenses exceed 12% per year (M.G.L. c. 140, § 96) Source says: "No person shall directly or indirectly engage in the business of making loans of six thousand dollars or less ... without first obtaining ... a license" | Massachusetts General Court as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Fall River
A few practical steps will make the process in Fall River less costly:
- 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 Massachusetts using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.