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Payday loans by state

Payday Loans in Los Alamitos, CA: Rules, Costs and Local Options

Los Alamitos is a city of about 11,846 people in Orange County, California. Payday loans are legal here under California law, so the same state limits apply whether you borrow in a store or online.

Key takeaways
  • Payday loans in Los Alamitos follow California law (California Deferred Deposit Transaction Law).
  • Borrowing $300 at the state maximum costs $45 fee on a $300 check, so you receive $255.
  • 1 credit union is headquartered in Los Alamitos; ask about small-dollar loans before borrowing.

Los Alamitos at a glance

Los Alamitos
Population (2024 Census estimate)11,846
Change since 2020+0.6% (holding steady)
CountyOrange County
Size rank among 480 California places we cover355th
Nearest larger cityCypress (about 2 miles)
Credit unions headquartered in town (NCUA)1
Credit unions headquartered in Orange County16
Other towns within 25 miles87 (about 6,126,635 residents)
Typical payday APR statewide (CRL 2023)460%

Payday lending in Los Alamitos follows California state law. Lenders that serve Los Alamitos, in a store or online, must be licensed by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI).

Credit unions in Los Alamitos

These credit unions have their main office in Los Alamitos, according to NCUA call report data (June 2026):

  • Southland Credit Union (state charter)

Only federal credit unions can offer payday alternative loans (PALs), capped at 28% APR; state-chartered credit unions often have their own small-loan products. Membership rules apply, and only main offices are listed here; find branches near you with the NCUA Credit Union Locator. See how PALs work.

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Payday loan rules that apply in Los Alamitos

The main California rules for a payday loan in Los Alamitos: maximum check: $300 (so the most you can receive is $255); maximum fee: 15% of the check amount ($45 on $300); loan term: up to 31 days. See the full California payday loan rules.

What a $300 loan costs in Los Alamitos

The Center for Responsible Lending put the typical APR on a $400 payday loan in California at 460% (June 2023). For $300 at the state maximum, expect $45 fee on a $300 check, so you receive $255. Check any offer with our payday loan calculator.

Other help in Orange County before you borrow

  • Call or text 211 for help with rent, utilities and food in Orange County.
  • Ask a federal credit union about a PAL: $200–$2,000 at no more than 28% APR (how PALs work).
  • Check your bank app for a small-dollar loan or early pay (bank options).
  • Try a cash advance app if you have direct deposit (apps compared).

Towns near Los Alamitos

The nearest larger city is Cypress, about 2 miles away. See all 480 California cities.

Need cash before payday?Send one free request to our lender network. We are not a lender; offers and rates come from lenders.

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Frequently asked questions

Are payday loans legal in Los Alamitos?

Yes. Payday loans are legal in Los Alamitos under California state law, and lenders must be licensed by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI).

How much does a payday loan cost in Los Alamitos?

At California’s maximum fee, borrowing $300 costs $45 fee on a $300 check, so you receive $255. The typical statewide APR was 460% in 2023.

Are there credit unions in Los Alamitos?

Yes. NCUA data lists 1 credit union with a main office in Los Alamitos, including Southland Credit Union.

Sources

  1. U.S. Census Bureau — City and town population totals, Vintage 2024
  2. U.S. Census Bureau — 2024 Gazetteer files (place locations)
  3. NCUA — Credit union call report data, June 2026 (FOICU)
  4. California DFPI — Deferred Deposit Transaction Law report
  5. Center for Responsible Lending — Red Alert Rates: APRs on $400 single-payment payday loans (June 2023)
  6. CDFI Fund — NCUA payday alternative loans summary
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