Safford at a glance
- Population: 10,270 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 44th-largest of 91 places in Arizona.
- 2020 Census base: 10,133 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a gain of roughly 1.4% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Arizona places: 44th largest of 91 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 52% of Arizona places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 32.8333 / -109.6974, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities within 120 miles: Oro Valley, AZ (80 mi); Tucson, AZ (83 mi); Marana, AZ (87 mi); Sierra Vista, AZ (95 mi); Sahuarita, AZ (97 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Smaller places close by: Thatcher, AZ (4 mi); Pima, AZ (9 mi); Clifton, AZ (28 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Safford
A personal loan gives you the full amount at once and spreads repayment over a set number of months at a fixed payment.
Because the APR includes origination and finance charges, it is the honest comparison number; the personal loan calculator turns an APR and term into a monthly payment.
The offer you receive reflects the lender's read of your credit, income and debts, and the term controls the balance between payment size and total interest.
A payment that strains the budget is a warning sign; a smaller loan or a little more saving time is the safer route.
Arizona lending rules that apply in Safford
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Arizona, and therefore in Safford.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Safford
The order below is a sensible way to approach a loan in Safford:
- 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.