South Tucson at a glance
- Population: about 4,521 residents, ranking 62nd of 91 Census places in Arizona (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 4,612 people counted in the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a loss of about 2.0% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Arizona places: 62nd largest of 91 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 32% of places in Arizona are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 32.1955, -110.9692 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Tucson, AZ (6 mi); Oro Valley, AZ (16 mi); Sahuarita, AZ (18 mi); Marana, AZ (21 mi); Benson, AZ (42 mi) (Census populations, approximate straight-line distance).
- Nearest smaller communities: Mammoth, AZ (37 mi); Patagonia, AZ (47 mi); Huachuca City, AZ (54 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in South Tucson
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
Two loans can share an interest rate and still differ in APR once fees are counted, so compare APR; our personal loan calculator shows the difference over the full term.
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.
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 South Tucson
The table carries the Arizona rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in South Tucson.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in South Tucson
These steps are the ones that most affect the offer you receive in South Tucson:
- 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.