Personal loans in Birmingham, AL

Birmingham is home to roughly 196,644 people and stands 2nd by size out of 462 Census places in Alabama. Birmingham is a sizable city of about 196,644 residents, and a personal loan taken out here is governed by Alabama statute.

By the Personalloaner Editorial Team · Last updated 2026-09-16

Compare loan offers Run the numbers first

How we get paid: if you apply through the link above, a lending partner may send us a referral fee. It never changes the rate you are offered or what we publish. We are not a lender and we do not process applications. The lowest rates are only available to the most qualified applicants. Full disclosure.

Use the calculator on this page to price an amount and term before you commit in Birmingham. When Alabama caps or restricts a product, lenders either change the terms or withdraw it from Birmingham as from the rest of the state. Census figures put the 2020-to-2023 decrease in Birmingham at about 2.0%. Borrowers who want a bigger city can look to Huntsville, AL about 81 miles away.

The Birmingham data picture

Here is the sourced Census picture for Birmingham, plus the Alabama lending rules that apply to a loan taken out here.

How Alabama law applies in Birmingham

Every row below records a Alabama rule, its publisher and its retrieval date — the same rules a Birmingham lender must follow.

RuleDetailSource
State lending regulatorAlabama State Banking Department — Bureau of Loans (BOL)
Source says: "The Bureau of Loans (hereinafter “the BOL”) was established in 1945". The BOL administers the Small Loan Act, Consumer Credit Act, Pawn Shop Act, Mortgage Brokers Licensing Act, Deferred Presentment Services Act and SAFE Act.		Alabama State Banking Department
as of 2026-09-16
Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap)6% per annum without a written contract; 8% per annum by written contract
Source says: "except by written contract is $6 upon $100 for one year"; "the rate of interest by written contract is not to exceed $8 upon $100 for one year". (Code text retrieved from the Alabama Legislature's official Code of Alabama service.)		Alabama Legislature — Code of Alabama 1975, § 8-8-1
as of 2026-09-16
Payday lending statusPermitted — deferred presentment services licensed by the supervisor; maximum advance $500; maximum fee 17.5% of amount advanced
Source says: "a maximum fee on any deferred presentment transaction not to exceed 17.5 percent of the amount advanced"; "The maximum amount that may be advanced in any deferred presentment transaction is five hundred dollars ($500)".		Alabama State Banking Department — Deferred Presentment Services Act (Code of Alabama §§ 5-18A-1 et seq.)
as of 2026-09-16

How Birmingham compares across Alabama

Set beside Alabama's 462 places, Birmingham ranks 2nd by population and holds about 6.2% of the state total. On the 2020-to-2023 trend, Birmingham stands 324th among Alabama's 462 places — roughly the 30th percentile. Its roughly 1,337 residents per square mile place it 23rd among Alabama's places. Within 50 miles sit 113 smaller Census places, alongside the 0 that are larger.

Where Birmingham sits

Birmingham's land area is about 147.1 square miles; a further 2.52 square miles is water. The resulting density is about 1,337 people per square mile. Huntsville, the largest place in Alabama, is about 81 miles from Birmingham. Within 50 miles of Birmingham there are 0 larger Census places. By land area it ranks 4th of 462 Alabama places.

Borrowing reach in Birmingham

Birmingham is a moderately settled community of about 196,644 people, with 0 larger places inside a 50-mile radius. Lenders licensed in Alabama reach Birmingham's 196,644 residents online, so the nearest branch is not what sets your APR. For a larger market, the closest option is Huntsville, AL about 81 miles away.

What a Birmingham borrower is actually offered

In Birmingham, a sizable city of about 196,644, the amount is advanced up front and repaid in fixed installments; the city's size does not change the pricing. A lender serving Birmingham's 196,644 residents must disclose the APR and finance charge in writing before you sign. Because the payment is fixed, the total cost of a Birmingham loan is knowable in advance — unlike a revolving card balance.

Compare personal loan offers Run the numbers first

How we get paid: if you apply through the link above, a lending partner may send us a referral fee. It never changes the rate you are offered or what we publish. We are not a lender and we do not process applications. The lowest rates are only available to the most qualified applicants. Full disclosure.

Common questions

What are my options in Birmingham if my credit is poor?
Borrowing is still possible, but expect a higher APR and a smaller approved amount. Lenders that accept lower scores hold statewide licences, so what is open to you in Birmingham is the same as anywhere in Alabama.
What loan size can I expect in Birmingham?
Most personal loans sit somewhere between $1,000 and $50,000, though the figure you are approved for turns on the lender, your income and your credit. Model the monthly payment first with our personal loan calculator.
Do I have to pledge anything to borrow in Birmingham?
For an unsecured personal loan, no — there is nothing to pledge. A secured loan, such as home equity or one secured by a vehicle, does require collateral, and default puts that asset at risk.
Does comparing loans in Birmingham cost me credit score points?
Not during pre-qualification, which normally uses a soft pull and leaves your score alone. Submitting a full application triggers a hard inquiry, which can trim a few points briefly.

Nearby places

Related