Salem at a glance
- Population: 177,432 people, the 3rd-largest place among Oregon's 240 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 175,478 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: an increase of about 1.1% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Oregon places: 3rd of 240 by population (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 99% of Oregon places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: it sits at 44.9239, -123.0230 in the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Portland, OR (46 mi); Vancouver, WA (53 mi); Eugene, OR (60 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Smaller places nearby: Keizer, OR (5 mi); Turner, OR (6 mi); Aumsville, OR (9 mi), per US Census Bureau estimates.
What a personal loan costs in Salem
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed 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.
The offer you receive reflects the lender's read of your credit, income and debts, and the term controls the balance between payment size and total interest.
Shop with more than one lender and treat pre-qualification as an estimate, since the final terms follow a full application.
Oregon lending rules that apply in Salem
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Oregon, and therefore in Salem.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Unlicensed lending consequence (state-specific rule) | Unlicensed consumer finance loans are void and uncollectible (principal, interest, fees). Source says: "the consumer finance loan is void... may not... collect, receive or retain principal, interest, a fee or a charge related to... the consumer finance loan" (ORS 725.045(1)(b)). | Oregon Legislative Assembly (Oregon Revised Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 9% per annum default legal rate where the parties have not agreed to a rate. Source says: "The rate of interest for the following transactions, if the parties have not otherwise agreed to a rate of interest, is nine percent per annum" (ORS 82.010(1)). | Oregon Legislative Assembly (Oregon Revised Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal for licensed payday/title lenders; term 31-60 days; one-time 10% origination fee capped at $30; interest limited to 36%/yr; max APR 153.77%. Source says: "Interest rates are limited to 36 percent annually. The maximum APR (interest and fees) is 153.77 percent"; "A one-time 10 percent loan origination fee, up to a maximum of $30 for a new loan"; "The payday or title loan must be for at least 31 days and not longer than 60 days." | Oregon Division of Financial Regulation as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer finance license required to make consumer finance loans of $50,000 or less; license issued by the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. Source says: "a consumer finance loan of $50,000 or less... unless the person first obtains a license under this chapter" (ORS 725.045). | Oregon Legislative Assembly (Oregon Revised Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (Department of Consumer and Business Services) Source says: "Protecting Oregonians' access to fair products and services through education, regulation, and consumer assistance." | Oregon Division of Financial Regulation as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Salem
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in Salem:
- 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 Oregon using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.