Payday Loans & Cash Advances in Texas
TX · no fixed dollar cap — max fee 10%- Max loan: No fixed dollar cap
- Max fee: 10% of the loan's face value
- Term: 7-180 days
- Statute: Tex. Fin. Code Ch. 393
Get a Cash Match in TX
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What a payday loan costs in Texas
A cash advance, a payday advance, a payroll advance — whatever the storefront sign says, it's the same product with the same legal ceiling in Texas.
The Texas fee of $30 per $300 borrowed ranks 2nd of 29 fixed-fee states — one of the cheaper states for short-term credit.
| Loan amount | Max fee | Total repaid | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200 | $20 | $220 | 7-180 days |
| $300 | $30 | $330 | 7-180 days |
| $500 | $50 | $550 | 7-180 days |
The same fee over 14 vs 30 days — why APR looks scary
Texas caps the dollar fee, not the APR — so the same fee annualizes differently depending on how long you hold the loan. This is the honest math for a $500 loan:
| Term | Fee | Total repaid | APR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 days | $50 | $550 | ≈261% |
| 30 days | $50 | $550 | ≈122% |
The rulebook in Texas
| Legal cap | No fixed dollar cap |
| Fee ceiling | No state fee cap ($20-$25 per $100 typical CSO fee + 10% interest cap) |
| Term | 7-180 days |
| Rollovers | Allowed |
| Cooling-off / rescind | 3 business days |
| Typical APR | 400% - 600% |
| Statute | Tex. Fin. Code Ch. 393 |
| Regulator | Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner |
Credit Access Businesses (CABs) charge fees for arranging loans with third-party lenders, resulting in high-cost short-term credit.
Payday vs PAL vs installment in Texas
The payday loan is the fastest tool, rarely the cheapest. Before signing, compare it with the two structured alternatives:
| Payday loan | Credit-union PAL | Online installment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical amount | $100–market-set | $200–$2,000 | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Cost | 10% flat fee (~400% APR) | APR capped at 28% federally | APR ≈36%–200% |
| Term | 7-180 days | 1–6 months | 6–24 months |
| Credit check | No hard pull — income-based | Soft pull, credit unions only | Soft-check prequalification common |
| Best for | A one-paycheck gap | Bigger gap, credit-union members | Multi-month shortfalls |
Repaying — and what happens if you can't
- Repayment is a single automatic debit from the account the money went into, due 7-180 days after signing.
- Rollover rules: Allowed. A "renewal" that adds a fresh fee to the same balance is the classic payday debt spiral — state law is the line between a rollover and a legal new loan.
- Cancellation: Texas gives you a rescind window of 3 business days — return the principal within it and you owe no fee.
- Credit Access Businesses (CABs) charge fees for arranging loans with third-party lenders, resulting in high-cost short-term credit.
- If a debit bounces, the bank charges its own NSF fee and the lender may charge the contract late fee — then may sell the debt to a collector. Complaints go to the state regulator, and an unlicensed lender may have no enforceable claim at all.
Four things to try before borrowing
- A payment plan from the bill issuer. Utilities, hospitals, and many landlords must offer hardship payment plans on request — it costs nothing and beats any loan.
- Credit-union PAL. Federal credit unions offer Payday Alternative Loans (PALs): $200–$2,000 at APRs capped at 28% with terms of 1–6 months — several times cheaper than any payday fee, if you can join a credit union.
- Earned-wage access. Employer-connected advance apps let you draw already-worked hours for little or no fee. Slower than a payday loan, far cheaper.
- Local assistance. Community action agencies and charity programs cover one-time bills (rent, utilities, medication) in most metro areas.
50 Texas cities covered
Local guides with cost tables and requirements for the biggest Texas cities — the law is statewide, but fees hit differently in every local budget.
- Houston 2303k
- San Antonio 1493k
- Dallas 1318k
- Austin 948k
- Fort Worth 854k
- El Paso 683k
- Arlington 393k
- Corpus Christi 326k
- Plano 286k
- Laredo 257k
- Lubbock 253k
- Irving 238k
- Garland 235k
- Amarillo 200k
- Grand Prairie 191k
- Brownsville 184k
- McKinney 172k
- Frisco 164k
- Pasadena 153k
- Mesquite 144k
- Killeen 143k
- McAllen 142k
- Midland 135k
- Waco 134k
- Denton 134k
- Carrollton 133k
- Abilene 122k
- Round Rock 121k
- Beaumont 118k
- Odessa 118k
- Pearland 114k
- Richardson 113k
- College Station 112k
- Tyler 105k
- Wichita Falls 105k
- Lewisville 105k
- The Woodlands 103k
- League City 102k
- San Angelo 101k
- Allen 99k
- Sugar Land 88k
- Edinburg 88k
- Mission 84k
- Bryan 83k
- Conroe 82k
- Longview 82k
- Pharr 77k
- Baytown 76k
- Missouri City 75k
- New Braunfels 74k
What are the requirements for obtaining a Payday Loan in Texas?
To get a payday loan in Texas, you need to meet some criteria. If you do not qualify for any of them, you will not be able to get a payday loan. Review the main ones and make sure you have everything needed to get a loan:
- 18 is the minimum age
- US citizens and permanent residents
- a resident of Texas
- contact number and email address
- permanent source of income
- an active bank account
Need more than a payday loan?
An installment loan in Texas spreads $1,000–$5,000 over fixed monthly payments. For lenders operating outside the TX-licensed system, see our honest guide to tribal loans in Texas. For the full picture of short-term rules, see payday loans by state.
Texas payday loan FAQ
How much can I borrow with a payday loan in Texas?
Texas sets no fixed dollar cap rather than a single dollar cap, so the amount depends on your income and the lender's underwriting.
Is a cash advance different from a payday loan in Texas?
No — cash advance, payday advance, and payroll advance are different names for the same short-term product. Texas's cap, fee ceiling, and term rules apply identically, whatever the lender calls it.
What does a $300 payday loan cost in Texas?
$30 in fees — 10% of the loan's face value — repaid 7-180 days later. Total repayment: $330.
I need money immediately — how fast can I get a payday loan in Texas?
Apply online in the morning: decisions arrive in minutes, and applications approved before the lender's daily cutoff are funded the same business day. After the cutoff or on weekends, funding lands the next business morning.
Do Texas payday lenders check credit?
No hard credit check in the traditional sense: approval runs on verifiable income and an active checking account, so weak or thin credit files still get funded. Some lenders record a soft inquiry, which leaves your score untouched.
What happens if I can't repay a payday loan in Texas?
State rule: allowed. A missed debit adds the bank NSF fee and the contract late fee, and the debt may go to a collector. Ask the lender for an extended payment plan before the due date — and escalate to the Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner if the lender refuses to work with you.
How many payday loans can I have at once in Texas?
State law says: Allowed. Your credit history with other lenders is checked through the state database.
Where do I complain about a Texas lender?
To the Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (https://occc.texas.gov) — it licenses and polices every payday lender serving Texas residents.
Ready to check offers in Texas?
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Check My Eligibility →Online Payday Loan Alternatives in Texas
If a two-week payday isn't the right fit, these Texas options cover the other common situations — bigger amounts, longer terms, and no-credit-check routes:
Payday Loan Calculator
The legal ceiling computed from state statute — the most a licensed lender may charge. It is the law, not a quote.
Get Payday Loans in Texas with All City Payday Loan
Every figure on this page is the legal ceiling computed from state law — the most a licensed lender may charge you. All City Payday Loan matches you with licensed lenders and shows the cost before you commit.
Start with All City Payday Loans →Disclosure. All City Payday Loan is not a lender, not a broker, and does not make credit decisions. Rates and terms are set by third-party lenders and depend on state law and the lender's underwriting; short-term loans carry APRs that may range from 35.99% to 359.99%. A payday loan is a short-term tool for a temporary cash gap — it is not a solution for long-term debt problems. Late or missed payments may result in additional fees and collection activity. Check your lender's license with your state regulator before you sign.