Lewiston at a glance
- Population: 2,500 people, the 268th-largest place among New York's 595 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 2,529 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 1.1% lower than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among New York places: 268th of 595 by population (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 55% of New York's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: it sits at 43.1719, -79.0407 in the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Niagara Falls, NY (6 mi); North Tonawanda, NY (12 mi); Tonawanda, NY (14 mi); Kenmore, NY (17 mi); Lockport, NY (17 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Smaller places nearby: Youngstown, NY (5 mi); Wilson, NY (15 mi); Barker, NY (27 mi), per US Census Bureau estimates.
What a personal loan costs in Lewiston
A personal loan is structured as an installment plan, with a set number of monthly payments and a fixed amount due each time.
The number to compare is the APR, not the interest rate, because the APR folds in origination fees and other charges; our personal loan calculator will show what a given amount and term would cost.
Your credit, income and existing debts drive the rate a lender offers, while the term you pick sets how much interest builds on top.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
New York lending rules that apply in Lewiston
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 16% per annum maximum civil rate (Banking Law 14-a; General Obligations Law 5-501) Source says: "The maximum rate of interest provided for in section 5-501 of the general obligations law shall be sixteen per centum per annum." | New York State Senate (Open Legislation) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Illegal in New York State, in person, by telephone, or over the Internet Source says: "Payday loans are illegal in New York State." | New York State Department of Financial Services as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Licensed Lender license required (Banking Law Article 9, sections 340-361); administered via NMLS Source says: "The Department of Financial Services uses the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry (NMLS) to manage the Licensed Lender License." | New York State Department of Financial Services as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) Source says: "Notify the Department of Financial Services at (800) 342-3736 if you believe payday loans are being made in New York" | New York State Department of Financial Services as of 2026-09-16 |
| Criminal usury in the second degree (Penal Law 190.40) | Interest rate exceeding 25% per annum; class E felony Source says: "at a rate exceeding twenty-five per centum per annum or the equivalent rate for a longer or shorter period" | New York State Senate (Open Legislation) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Lewiston
Before you commit to a personal loan in Lewiston, work through these steps:
- 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 New York using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.