Payday Loans in Houston, TX

What are Payday Loans in Houston?

Payday loans are small, short-term cash advances that bridge the gap to your next paycheck. Many Houstonians use them for rent, utilities, or car repairs.

How they work in Houston

You typically show ID, proof of income, and an active bank account. Funds arrive quickly, then a single lump-sum payment clears the balance by ACH or a post-dated check. Houston caps loans at up to $500 or 20% of your gross monthly income and limits rollovers. Terms run 7–35 days with up to four renewals and a 180-day total limit. Typical APR ranges about 400%–664% with no statewide cap. Fees run $10–$30 per $100. Oversight: Texas OCCC and Houston Ordinance 2013-751.

Houston Payday Loan Regulations

In Texas, payday lenders operate as Credit Access Businesses (CABs). Each CAB must hold an OCCC license, post a fee schedule, provide Truth-in-Lending disclosures, and follow Finance Code §392 for collections. Civil debts cannot trigger arrest, and threatening criminal charges is illegal.

Houston Ordinance 2013-1093

• Register with the city $50 per year and keep records
• Cap single-payment loans at 20% of gross monthly income
• Limit renewals to three with 25% of principal paid each time
• Keep total repayment within 180 days
• Provide clear cost notices at the point of sale

Your rights

You may request written fees, revoke ACH authorization at any time, and file complaints with the OCCC at 800-538-1579.

Payday Loan Costs in Houston, TX

Payday loans in Houston carry steep costs. Texas law lets Credit Access Businesses charge high fees while interest gets capped, pushing APRs beyond 600%. You'll typically pay around $28 for every $100 you borrow.

Loan Detail	Amount
Amount Borrowed	$500
Term Length	14 Days
Typical CAB Fee ($28 per $100)	$140
Interest (at 10% annually)	~$1.92
Total Amount to Repay	~$641.92
Effective APR	~664%

Missing your repayment date means paying another round of fees on the original amount. This creates an expensive cycle that escalates quickly. You need to understand these costs before deciding if this loan works for your situation.

Eligibility for Houston Payday Loans

Houston lenders set specific requirements before approving your payday loan application. These criteria vary somewhat between companies, but most expect you to meet certain basic conditions.

Basic Requirements

You need to be 18 or older and hold U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status while living in Texas. Income verification matters more than credit scores here. Most lenders want proof of steady income, typically around $1,000 monthly. Your income can come from a job, Social Security payments, or disability benefits.

Documentation and Banking

You'll need an active checking account under your name for receiving funds and making repayments. Lenders also require a government-issued photo ID and your Social Security number. Some may run a soft credit check, but they focus primarily on whether your next paycheck can cover the loan. Military members and their families receive additional protections under the Military Lending Act.

How to Apply for a Payday Loan in Houston with LendUp

Choose how to apply

Apply online through LendUp’s secure form 24/7, or visit a licensed Houston storefront for in-person help. Either path sends your info to vetted Texas lenders. LendUp doesn’t make loans.

Gather your documents

Bring a valid government ID, Social Security number, proof of Houston residency (utility bill or lease), last 30 days of pay stubs or benefit statements, an active Texas checking account, and a signed ACH authorization or post-dated check, both commonly required by Texas payday lenders.

Approval and funding

Most online applications finish in under 10 minutes with only a soft credit inquiry. Decisions typically arrive within 60 minutes. Sign the e-contract before 2 p.m. CST for same-day posting; later signatures usually fund the next banking morning, subject to your bank’s cutoff times.

Find Better Loan Options in Houston

Practical alternatives

• PALs from local credit unions: $200–$2,000, max 28% APR, 1–12 months
• State-regulated installment loans: $1,000–$5,000, 6–36 months, 18–36% APR
• 0% intro APR cards: up to 18 interest-free months
• City emergency grants for rent or utilities, no repayment

Personal loans can replace 400%+ APR payday debts.

How LendUp helps

LendUp is a matching service, not a lender. You complete a short soft-credit form and see Houston offers that show:

• Total loan cost, including fees
• Fixed payment dates and amounts
• No-penalty prepayment rules

Many partners deliver $500–$5,000 within one business day, helping you budget and avoid rollovers.

Same-Day Payday Loans in Houston: Get Money Within Hours

Many Houston payday lenders can send money to your verified Texas checking account the same business day, often in 30 to 90 minutes, if you complete the application and sign your agreement before the lender’s cutoff, usually 10 a.m.–1 p.m. CT.

Where fast decisions are common

• ACE Cash Express: 20+ local branches; online e-sign, cash pickup, or ACH
• Check Into Cash: Multiple Houston stores; cash in hand right after approval
• Speedy Cash: Locations on Bellaire and I-45; instant load to an Opt+ Visa card

What controls funding speed

• Banking: Same-day ACH ends 3 p.m. CT; later deposits post the next morning
• Timing: Friday night and weekend loans fund Monday
• Method: Cash or prepaid card is fastest; paper checks are slowest
• Status: Returning customers with verified documents clear faster

Personal Loans vs. Payday Loans in Houston

Rates and repayment

In Texas, Credit Access Businesses broker payday loans with effective APRs often exceeding 500%. Houston caps a single-payment payday loan at 20% of your gross monthly income and allows only three rollovers, yet the full balance is due in 14–30 days. Personal loans through LendUp’s partners offer 6%–36% APR, $1,000–$50,000 amounts, and 6–60-month installments.

Credit impact and fit

On-time personal-loan payments are reported to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion and can build credit; payday lenders usually report only when an account defaults. Lower cost, longer terms, and positive reporting make a personal loan the more sustainable choice.

• Funding speed: both next business day
• Fees: Payday about $15 per $100; personal 0–8% origination
• Rollover risk: high vs none

Military Members in Houston: Special Payday Loan Protections

Your rights under the MLA

If you're active-duty or a covered dependent in Houston, the federal Military Lending Act (MLA) caps the Military APR (MAPR) on payday loans and most small-dollar credit at 36%. Creditors must give a clear MAPR disclosure before you sign.

• No mandatory arbitration or legal-rights waivers
• No required military allotment repayment or bank access
• No prepayment penalties, balloon payments, or rollovers that extend debt
• Covers active Guard/Reserve on Title 10 orders of 30+ days and all qualified dependents

Local support

Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base’s Airman & Family Readiness Center (281-929-2066) and the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society at Naval Air Station Houston offer free budgeting help and zero-interest loans, often better than any payday option.

Address Emergency Cash Needs in Houston

Faster options than payday loans

When a bill can’t wait, start with lower-cost relief. Ask your utility, landlord, or hospital for a no-fee payment plan. Check whether your employer offers an earned wage advance or lets you cash out accrued PTO. Local credit unions—such as Houston Federal CU’s Quick Cash Loan (up to $500, 28% APR, 60-day term)—provide regulated small-dollar loans. You can also use LendUp to compare personal-loan offers in minutes without affecting your credit score.

Free up cash right now

• Pause unused subscriptions.
• Request a premium deferral from your auto insurer (Texas allows one per policy year).
• Sell electronics on Facebook Marketplace for fast cash.
• Call 2-1-1 (United Way) for rent, utility, or food help.

What to Expect from a Payday Loan Lender

Clear costs

You should see the APR up front (typically 6.99%–35.99%), total interest, any 0%–8% origination fee or $15 late fees, and prepayment terms. Costs appear before you apply and again before you sign, with a final Truth in Lending disclosure.

Predictable repayment

Most loans use fixed 12–60-month schedules with set due dates and a clear payoff date. Expect a monthly payment estimate and the total loan cost. Early payoff must be penalty-free, and autopay should be optional.

Fair review and support

Look for soft-pull credit prequalification, funding within 1–3 business days, and phone, chat, or email support. Your agreement should explain cancellation, extra payments, hardship options, and where to send complaints.