Bell at a glance
- Population: 31,864 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 232nd-largest of 482 places in California.
- 2020 Census base: 33,562 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a loss of about 5.1% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among California places: 232nd in population of 482 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: larger than about 52% of the Census places in California (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 33.9797, -118.1792 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Bell Gardens, CA (2 mi); Huntington Park, CA (2 mi); South Gate, CA (3 mi); Downey, CA (4 mi); Lynwood, CA (4 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Nearest smaller communities: Maywood, CA (1 mi); Cudahy, CA (1 mi); Commerce, CA (2 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Bell
A personal loan gives you the full amount at once and spreads repayment over a set number of months at a fixed payment.
Compare offers on APR rather than the headline rate — the APR includes most fees, and you can model the total with our personal loan calculator.
Choosing a longer term eases the monthly budget but adds interest over the life of the loan; a shorter term costs more per month and less overall.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
California lending rules that apply in Bell
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in California, and therefore in Bell.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 36% rate cap on mid-size consumer loans (AB 539) | Consumer loans of $2,500 to under $10,000: cap of 36% per annum simple interest plus the Federal Funds Rate Source says: "charges at a rate not exceeding an annual simple interest rate of 36 percent per annum plus the Federal Funds Rate". | California Legislature — Financial Code § 22304.5 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 7% per annum default; written contracts may set up to 10% per annum for consumer-purpose loans Source says: "shall be 7 percent per annum"; "for use primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, at a rate not exceeding 10 percent per annum". | California Legislature — California Constitution, Article XV, § 1 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted under the California Deferred Deposit Transaction Law; max $300 face amount; fee ≤15%; term up to 31 days Source says: "The face amount of the check shall not exceed three hundred dollars ($300)"; "A fee for a deferred deposit transaction shall not exceed 15 percent of the face amount of the check" (Financial Code § 23036). | California Legislature — Financial Code § 23035 (and § 23036) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Finance lender/broker license required from the Commissioner of Financial Protection and Innovation (California Financing Law) Source says: "No person shall engage in the business of a finance lender or broker without obtaining a license from the commissioner". | California Legislature — Financial Code § 22100 as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) Source says: "“Department” means the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation". | California Legislature — Financial Code § 23001 as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Bell
Before you share your details with a lender in Bell:
- 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 California using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.