# Payday Loan Cost by State 2026: $4 to $75 for the Same $300 Loan | Big Daddy Loans

> Original Big Daddy Loans research: what a $300 payday loan really costs in every U.S. state. Interactive map, methodology, downloadable data, journalist press kit. Updated May 2026.

Источник: https://bigdaddy-loans.com/research/cost-index-2026/

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Original research · 50 states + DC · CC-BY-4.0

# The Cost Index 2026: the same $300 loan costs $4 or $75 — by state.

A two-week, $300 payday loan might cost you **around $4 in a state with a 36% APR limit, but roughly $66 in Texas and close to $75 in Nevada or Idaho** (an APR of ~652%) — your state's laws set the price, not your credit score. **Payday loans are prohibited in 14 states and the District of Columbia** (covering approximately 27% of Americans); in legal states, the average fee on a population basis is **$16.66 for every $100 you borrow**.

**Key finding.** Cross one state line and the identical loan can cost 18× more. Maine caps the fee at **$1.15 per $100** (30% APR); Nevada and Idaho run to **$25.01 per $100** (~652% APR). Nothing about the borrower changes — only the statute. We built this from primary-source rate caps and fee schedules for all 50 states + DC, downloadable as CSV under CC-BY-4.0.

First published on May 24, 2026 · Last updated June 11, 2026 · Expert review by [Roman Okafor, AFC®](/authors/roman-okafor/) and [Curtis Brennan, CFP®](/authors/curtis-brennan/) · [Get the data file (CSV)](cost-index-2026-data.csv) · Use the embed code · [Download the press kit](big-daddy-loans-cost-index-2026-press-kit.pdf)

National avg (allowed)
$16.66
Per $100 / 14d, pop-weighted

Most expensive
$25.01
Nevada · Idaho — ~652% APR

Most protective
$1.15
Maine — 30% APR cap

Effectively banned
14+DC
27.1% of US population

The map

## Cost per $100 / 14 days, by state.

Move your cursor over any state to view its rate, APR, and legal standing. Color indicates cost level (darker shading = higher expense). White means payday loans are prohibited.