Puyallup at a glance
- Population: 42,179 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 30th-largest of 281 places in Washington.
- 2020 Census base: 42,976 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a decline of roughly 1.9% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Washington places: 30th of 281 by population (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 89% of Washington's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 47.1790, longitude -122.2915 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Tacoma, WA (9 mi); Federal Way, WA (9 mi); Auburn, WA (9 mi); Lakewood, WA (11 mi); Kent, WA (15 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Smaller places close by: Edgewood, WA (4 mi); Sumner, WA (4 mi); Fife, WA (5 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Puyallup
A personal loan hands you a single sum and a repayment schedule of equal monthly installments over an agreed term.
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.
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.
A payment that strains the budget is a warning sign; a smaller loan or a little more saving time is the safer route.
Washington lending rules that apply in Puyallup
Every figure in the table below is sourced to a publisher with a date; where a state does not publish a number, we say so rather than estimate.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Payday lending status | Licensed; small loans capped at $700 or 30% of monthly income, max 45 days, fees 15% on first $500 and 10% above (RCW 31.45) Source says: Payday lenders must be licensed by DFI — including online lenders that do business with Washington residents. | Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer Loan Company license required (Consumer Loan Act, RCW 31.04.035) Source says: No person may engage in any activity subject to this chapter without first obtaining and maintaining a license in accordance with this chapter. | Washington State Legislature (RCW) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) Source says: DFI licenses and regulates financial institutions and service providers in Washington. | Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 12% per annum, or four points above the Federal Reserve bill rate, whichever is higher (RCW 19.52.020) Source says: any rate of interest shall be legal so long as the rate of interest does not exceed the higher of: (a) Twelve percent per annum | Washington State Legislature (RCW) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Puyallup
Run through this list before signing anything in Puyallup:
- 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 Washington using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.