Bowie at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 57,254, placing it 5th among Maryland's 157 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 58,340 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down roughly 1.9% across the 2020-to-2023 comparison (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Maryland places: 5th by size among 157 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 97% of Maryland places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 38.9547 latitude, -76.7388 longitude (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Washington, DC (15 mi); Alexandria, VA (21 mi); Rockville, MD (24 mi); Baltimore, MD (25 mi); Gaithersburg, MD (28 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Smaller places close by: Glenarden, MD (7 mi); New Carrollton, MD (7 mi); Greenbelt, MD (8 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Bowie
A personal loan hands you a single sum and a repayment schedule of equal monthly installments over an agreed term.
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.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
Set the loan amount from the expense itself rather than the maximum you are approved for, and keep the payment within your existing budget.
Maryland lending rules that apply in Bowie
The table lists the Maryland rules that apply to a loan made in Bowie, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State lending regulator | Office of Financial Regulation; Commissioner of Financial Regulation (Maryland Department of Labor) Source says: "is Maryland's consumer financial protection agency and financial services regulator" | Maryland Department of Labor as of 2026-09-16 |
| OFR consumer-loan interest-rate limits | 2.75%/month (33%/yr) on the first $1,000 of a loan ≤$2,000; 2%/month (24%/yr) thereafter and on loans over $2,000 Source says: "Maximum interest rate allowed by law is 2.75% per month or an annual interest rate of 33%" | Maryland Department of Labor, Office of Financial Regulation as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 24% per year effective simple interest for qualifying loans (Md. Code Com. Law § 12-103(c)); otherwise 8% (written agreement) or 18% Source says: "a lender may charge an effective rate of simple interest not in excess of 24 percent per year on the unpaid principal balance" | Maryland General Assembly as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Regulated as consumer loans: licensing and statutory interest-rate limits apply to payday-style loans (OFR) Source says: "they are prohibited from charging or receiving an interest rate that is greater than authorized by the laws of this State" | Maryland Department of Labor, Office of Financial Regulation as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer Lender license required to make loans under the Maryland Consumer Loan Law (Com. Law § 12-301 et seq.) Source says: "A Consumer Lender is a business that makes any loan or advance of money or credit under the Maryland Consumer Loan Law" | Maryland Department of Labor, Office of Financial Regulation as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Bowie
Before you share your details with a lender in Bowie:
- 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 Maryland using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.