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Washington Payday Loans
Updated November 2026 · By Payday Loans Reviews Editorial Team · Not a lender
Payday loans are legal in Washington, but only from lenders licensed by the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions. State law caps the loan at $700 or 30 percent of your income, whichever is smaller.
Fees are capped at 15 percent of the first $500 borrowed and 10 percent of any amount above that, with a maximum total fee of $95. Borrow $500 for 14 days and you will pay a $75 fee, for a total repayment of $575.
Washington short-term loan laws
- Max loan amount
- $700 or 30% of income
- Min loan term
- N/A
- Max loan term
- 45 days
- Finance charge cap
- 15% up to $500; 10% above
- Max absolute fee
- $95
- Typical APR
- ~390%
- Rollovers (extensions)
- Prohibited
- Simultaneous loans
- Max 8 loans per year
- Right to rescind
- Next business day
- Governing law
- Washington Check Cashers and Sellers Act
- Regulator
- WA State DFI
Washington in context
- Population rank
- 13th
- of 50 states
- Median household income rank
- 8th
- of 50 states
- Households earning under $25,000
- 11.2%
- ▼ 3.7 pts vs US
- Median home value
- $584,105
- ▲ 50% vs US
- Home value to income
- 5.8×
- A $400 emergency expense
- 1.4 days
- of median household income
Payday lending in Washington cities
Compare the cost before you sign
A payday loan in Washington can cost around 391 percent APR. That same $500 borrowed through a credit union Payday Alternative Loan would carry a maximum APR of 28 percent and an application fee capped at $20. Over 14 days, the PAL would cost roughly $6 in interest plus the $20 fee, totaling about $26. That saves you roughly $49 compared to the $75 payday fee for the same period.
If you are active-duty military or a dependent, federal law caps all costs at 36 percent MAPR, which is far below the Washington example. Ask any lender to confirm they comply with the Military Lending Act before you proceed.
Because rollovers are prohibited, you cannot extend the loan by paying only the fee; you must repay in full by the due date. If you are unsure you can cover the $575 repayment out of your next check, consider these steps first: ask your employer about a paycheck advance, contact your utility or landlord about a payment plan, or check if you qualify for a PAL at a local credit union. If you decide a payday loan is necessary, confirm the lender is licensed on the DFI website before you sign anything.
Read more about borrowing in Washington
What a payday loan costs in Washington
- Fee on a $500 loan
- $75
- Share of a two-week household paycheck
- 1.9%
- Hours of work at the local median wage
- 3.1 hours
- Rollovers
- Not allowed in Washington
Washington sets no fixed fee in dollars, so this example uses a typical fee of $15 per $100 on a $500 loan and local median incomes: two-week paycheck = household income ÷ 26, hourly wage = individual income ÷ 2,080. Actual terms vary by lender.
$500 payday loan vs options in Washington
| Option | Term | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payday loan | 2 weeks | $75 fee | 390% APR |
| Credit card cash advance | 30 days | $37.33 (typical) | 5% fee + 30% APR |
| Credit union PAL | 6 months | $62 total | $90.27/mo at 28% APR, $20 fee |
| Installment loan at state max | 6 months | $58 total | $93.06/mo at 39% APR |
Calculated from state rules in our database; card terms are typical, not a quote.
Top Washington cities for payday storefronts
| City | Residents | Loan offices | Per 100,000 residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spokane | 389,529 | 8 | 2.1 |
| Kent | 168,134 | 3 | 1.8 |
| Tacoma | 352,796 | 6 | 1.7 |
| Vancouver | 356,538 | 5 | 1.4 |
| Seattle | 994,393 | 5 | 0.5 |
Cities with 20,000+ residents; counts from our directory.
Getting short-term cash in Washington
Unexpected costs can show up without warning. Our secure platform links you to lenders who carry proper licenses to operate in Washington.
You can apply online in just a few minutes, hear back quickly and, if a lender approves you, have money deposited into your bank account as early as the next business day.
Why borrowers in Washington use us
- Quick online application One easy form that you can finish in roughly 5 minutes, from any place at any time.
- Fast decision Your application is evaluated instantly by lenders who hold active licenses in Washington.
- All credit types considered A damaged credit history does not mean an automatic denial.
- Transparent terms Loan agreements and fees must fall within limits established by the Washington Check Cashers and Sellers Act.
Washington disclosure: Short-term payday loans and cash advances are built to handle temporary money shortages, not to serve as permanent financial answers. Washington law (Washington Check Cashers and Sellers Act) decides the rates, terms and highest loan amounts. Please use borrowing wisely and read all terms before you put your name on anything.
Washington at a glance
| Metric | Washington | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7.7M | 332.3M |
| Median household income | $100,769 | $85,275 |
| Median rent | $1,680/mo | $1,432/mo |
| Income spent on rent | 30.7% | 31.6% |
| Homeownership | 64.9% | 65.4% |
| Poverty rate | 10.0% | 12.6% |
| Unemployment rate | 5.0% | 5.3% |
| Without health insurance | 6.4% | 8.6% |
| Veterans | 8.2% | 6.5% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, by ZIP code. City and state figures are population-weighted averages of ZIP code data and are approximate.
Payday loan cost calculator for Washington
Move the sliders to see what a payday loan would cost under Washington rules and how it compares with local incomes.
Example range up to $1,000
Washington sets no fixed fee; $15 is typical
Rollovers are not allowed in Washington.
- Fee
- $75
- Total to repay
- $575
- APR
- 391%
- Share of a two-week household paycheck in Washington
- 1.9%
Estimate only. APR = fee ÷ amount × 365 ÷ term. Lenders may charge less than the state maximum; actual terms vary.
Washington payday loan answers
What cash amounts can borrowers access in Washington?
Qualifying borrowers in Washington ordinarily can get loans from $100 up to the Washington limit ($700 or 30% of income). The actual amount depends on your monthly income, your ability to handle repayment and the limits Washington sets.
What are the lowest requirements for submitting a request?
A loan request in Washington calls for the following:
- At least 18 years old, the age at which you are legally an adult
- Possess a valid government-issued photo ID plus residency proof for Washington
- Maintain a checking account that is open and active
- Provide evidence of earnings that are ongoing and verifiable
Will a poor credit record or past bankruptcy stop me from qualifying?
There is a chance. Numerous lenders we work with look past earlier credit trouble and zero in on your existing income and ability to repay. No one is assured approval.
How quick is the transfer once everything is approved?
When approval is granted and you sign online, the funds commonly post to your account that day or the next business day, though the precise timing is set by the lender and your bank.
How do I pay back the loan and on what schedule?
You have up to 45 days to repay under state regulations. On the due date, typically your next payday, the full loan amount plus fees is taken automatically from your checking account.