Paradise Valley at a glance
- Population: 12,502 residents, the 41st-largest of 91 places in Arizona (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 12,664 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a decline of roughly 1.3% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Arizona places: 41st largest of 91 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 55% of the places in Arizona (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 33.5522, -111.9613 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities: Phoenix, AZ (8 mi); Scottsdale, AZ (11 mi); Tempe, AZ (11 mi); Glendale, AZ (13 mi); Fountain Hills, AZ (13 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Smaller places close by: Guadalupe, AZ (13 mi); Tolleson, AZ (18 mi); Carefree, AZ (19 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Paradise Valley
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
The APR is the comparable price of a loan since it folds in fees; model any offer with the personal loan calculator first.
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.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
Arizona lending rules that apply in Paradise Valley
Every figure in the table below is sourced to a publisher with a date; where a state does not publish a number, we say so rather than estimate.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Paradise Valley
Run through this list before signing anything in Paradise Valley:
- 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.