- Payday loans in Tehachapi 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.
- The nearest larger city is Lancaster, about 35 miles away.
Tehachapi at a glance
| Tehachapi | |
|---|---|
| Population (2024 Census estimate) | 11,114 |
| Change since 2020 | -14.6% (shrinking) |
| County | Kern County |
| Size rank among 480 California places we cover | 364th |
| Nearest larger city | Lancaster (about 35 miles) |
| Credit unions headquartered in town (NCUA) | None |
| Credit unions headquartered in Kern County | 9 |
| Other towns within 25 miles | 1 (about 19,661 residents) |
| Typical payday APR statewide (CRL 2023) | 460% |
Whether you borrow at a storefront in Lancaster or online from Tehachapi, the lender must hold a California license from the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) and follow state limits.
Credit unions near Tehachapi
No credit union has its main office in Tehachapi, but these are based elsewhere in Kern County (NCUA, June 2026):
- Bakersfield City Employees Federal Credit Union in Bakersfield (federal charter — may offer payday alternative loans (PALs))
- Desert Valleys Federal Credit Union in Ridgecrest (federal charter — may offer payday alternative loans (PALs))
- Altaone Federal Credit Union in Ridgecrest (federal charter — may offer payday alternative loans (PALs))
- Strata Federal Credit Union in Bakersfield (federal charter — may offer payday alternative loans (PALs))
- Espeeco Federal Credit Union in Bakersfield (federal charter — may offer payday alternative loans (PALs))
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 Tehachapi
Key California limits that apply to Tehachapi borrowers: 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 Tehachapi
At California’s maximum fee, borrowing $300 costs $45 fee on a $300 check, so you receive $255. Statewide, the typical APR on a $400 payday loan was 460% (Center for Responsible Lending, June 2023). Check any offer with our payday loan calculator.
Other help in Kern County before you borrow
- Credit union payday alternative loans (PALs): $200–$2,000 at no more than 28% APR. Search for a federal credit union in Tehachapi that offers them. See how PALs work.
- Your bank’s small-dollar loan, if it offers one. See bank small-dollar loans.
- Cash advance apps for $20–$500 based on your direct deposits. See apps compared.
- 211: call or text 211 for local help with rent, utilities and food.
Towns near Tehachapi
The nearest larger city is Lancaster, about 35 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.
Request a loanFrequently asked questions
Are payday loans legal in Tehachapi?
Yes. Payday loans are legal in Tehachapi 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 Tehachapi?
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.
Where is the nearest credit union to Tehachapi?
No credit union is headquartered in Tehachapi, but Bakersfield City Employees Federal Credit Union is based in Bakersfield, also in Kern County.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau — City and town population totals, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — 2024 Gazetteer files (place locations)
- NCUA — Credit union call report data, June 2026 (FOICU)
- California DFPI — Deferred Deposit Transaction Law report
- Center for Responsible Lending — Red Alert Rates: APRs on $400 single-payment payday loans (June 2023)
- CDFI Fund — NCUA payday alternative loans summary