State-by-State Pawn Shop Interest Rates :

The Best and Worst Places to Borrow in 2025

The most complete interest comparison guide from A -Z...

Pawn loans have long been a trusted way to unlock the value of luxury assets without selling them outright. Whether it’s a diamond bracelet, a Rolex, or a rare collectible, high-end pawn shops offer a secure and discreet way to access short-term financing. However, the cost of borrowing through a pawn loan varies significantly depending on the state.

Some states have strict regulations that keep interest rates and fees low, making them more borrower-friendly. Others allow for much higher rates, which can add up quickly if a loan is not repaid on time. Understanding these differences is crucial for anyone looking to maximize the value of their loan while minimizing costs.

This guide provides a state-by-state breakdown of pawn shop interest rates, highlighting the best and worst places to borrow. It also offers expert insights on how to secure the most favorable terms, ensuring that clients receive the highest possible loan value with the lowest possible cost.

 

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Pawn Shop Interest Rates in States that Start with an A

Alabama

Interest Rate

Up to 25% per month, thus 300% per year.

In Alabama all costs are bundled into 1 pawnshop charge.

Additional Charges

None beyond pawnshop charge

Alaska

Interest Rate

Up to 20% per 30-day period, thus 240% per year.

Additional Charges

$5 processing fee

$5 firearm processing fee

Arizona

Interest Rate

Up to 13% per month (first 2 months), & up to 11% per month (after), thus 136% per year.

Additional Charges

$5 initial setup fee

up to $5 per month storage fee

$7.50 for lost ticket

$5 firearm processing fee

Any government charge imposed on the pawnbroker can be recovered from the client.

Arkansas

Interest Rate

At the time of writing (March 2025), the Arkansas Pawnbroker Act has been repealed, so currently, no direct regulation seems to be in place.

Additional Charges

No current information is available.

Pawn Shop Interest Rates in States that Start with an C

California

Interest Rate

Up to 3% per month, thus 36% per year.

Additional Charges

$7.50 – $90 loan setup fee (depending on the size of the loan)

$3 – $24 (more for very large items) storage fee

$20 firearm processing fee per firearm

$10 for a lost ticket

$5 notice preparation fee

$3 – $2,499.99 additional charges over the lifetime of the loan.

 

Colorado

Interest Rate

Between 3% per month – 20% per month, depending on the amount and the city in which you are located.

Additional Charges

Questionable additional charges (rent, etc.) – no clear guidance

Connecticut

Interest Rate

5% per month on loan of $15 or less,

3% per month on a loan of $15-$50,

2% per month on loan of more than $50

Additional Charges

The following fees are allowed with no regulation:

Memorandum, transaction, storage, insurance, appraisal

Pawn Shop Interest Rates in States that Start with an D

Delaware

Interest Rate

Up to 30% per month, thus 360% per year.

Additional Charges

No specific mention of regulation

Pawn Shop Interest Rates in States that Start with an F

Florida

Interest Rate

Up to 2% per 30 days. thus 24% per year.

Additional Charges

$5 per month minimum pawn service charge, and

pawnbrokers have the authority to charge any amount for the total pawn service charge, as long as the total amount, including the interest, does not exceed 25% of the amount financed for each 30-day period.

Pawn Shop Interest Rates in States that Start with an G

Georgia

Interest Rate

up to 25% per month thus 75% per year (first 3 months), up to 12.5% per month, thus 112.5% per year (after 3 months).

Calculations based on 12-month loan.

Additional Charges

$2 lost or destroyed pawn ticket

Any shipping cost + 50% of shipping cost as handling fee.

Pawn Shop Interest Rates in States that Start with an H

Hawai

Interest Rate

Up to 20% per month, thus 240% per year.

Additional Charges

No specific additional fee regulation was mentioned.

Pawn Shop Interest Rates in States that Start with an I

Idaho

Interest Rate

Up to 20% per month, thus 240% per year

Additional Charges

No specific additional fee regulation was mentioned.

Illinois

Interest Rate

Total Pawn Charges are tiered:

up to 20% per month, thus 240% annually <$500 loan,

up 16.7% per month, thus 200.4% annually for $500-$1500 loan

up to 12.5% per month, thus 150% annually for $1500-$5000 loan

Additional Charges

All pawn loan charges are included in the total pawn charge mentioned above.

Indiana

Interest Rate

Capped at 3% interest per month.

This is scheduled to change after

June 30, 2025

Additional Charges

Up to 20% per month allowed

Iowa

Interest Rate

Capped at 5% interest per year, unless another rate is agreed upon in writing.

So, in essence, there is no hard cap.

Additional Charges

Any charges agreed upon in writing are allowed.

Pawn Shop Interest Rates in States that Start with an K

Kansas

Interest Rate

Capped at 10% per month, thus 120% per annum

Additional Charges

No additional charges allowed

Kentucky

Interest Rate

Capped at 6% per month, thus 72% per annum

Additional Charges

Loan <$20 = $2 service fee allowed

Loan $20 – $50 = $3 service fee allowed

Loan $50 – $100 = $4 service fee allowed

Loan >$100 = $4 service fee for every $100 principal amount allowed

Pawn Shop Interest Rates in States that Start with an L

Louisiana

Interest Rate

Capped at 10% per month, thus 120% per annum.

Additional Charges

Also capped at 10% per month, thus 120% per annum.

Pawn Shop Interest Rates in States that Start with an M

Maine

Interest Rate

Up to 25% per month, thus 300% annually for a loan ≤ $500,

Up to 20% per month, thus 240% annually for a loan > $500

Additional Charges

Capped at $2.50

Maryland

Interest Rate

The provided research does not contain specific information regarding the state-regulated interest rates and fees for pawn shops in Maryland.

However, discussions on if and how pawn loans should be incorporated in the Maryland Consumer Loan Law (MCLL) seems to be in progress.

Additional Charges

No specific information available

Massachusetts

Interest Rate

No pawnbroker may lawfully charge an interest rate that has not been approved by the Division of Banks (DOB).

The DOB has not approved rates above 36% for amounts greater than $25. 

Additional Charges

The allowed loan period is 4 months.

No specific information on additional charges available.

Michigan

Interest Rate

3% per month, thus 36% annually

Additional Charges

$3 storage fee per month

Minnesota

Interest Rate

3% per month, thus 36% annually

Additional Charges

Reasonable storage and service fee

If item is not in in the possession of the pawnbroker, this charge is capped at $20. 

Mississippi

Interest Rate

Total pawn cost of up to 25% per month, thus 300% annually

Additional Charges

Fee charged by a third-party processing company for the use of a debit or credit card.

Missouri

Interest Rate

Up to 2% per month, thus 36% annually

Additional Charges

Storage and security costs are allowed and not capped.

Montana

Interest Rate

Total cost up to 25% per month, thus 300% annually.

Additional Charges

No additional charges allowed

Pawn Shop Interest Rates in States that Start with an N

Nebraska

Interest Rate

Unable to find specific information regarding the state-regulated interest rates for pawn shops in Nebraska.

Additional Charges

No regulation information found.

Nevada

Interest Rate

Up to 13% per month, thus 156% annually

Additional Charges

$5 Initiation Fee

Storage are allowed, no more than $3 per day for motor vehicles.

New Hampshire

Interest Rate

The pawnbroker licence board is allowed to regulate the interest rate, but no such regulation could be found.

Additional Charges

No specific information found.

New Jersey

Interest Rate

4.5% per month, thus 54% annually

Additional Charges

Additional charges are permitted. No regulation found.

New Mexico

Interest Rate

Up to 10% or $7.50 (whichever is the higest) for the first 30 day period of the loan

4% per month after the initial 30 days

Capped at 175% annually for loans of $5000 or less

Additional Charges

Delinquency fee (late fee) of 5% of each installment payment with a maximum of $10

10% or $200 processing fee (whichever is the lowest)

New York

Interest Rate

Up to 4% per month, thus 48% annually

Additional Charges

The maximum service charge for loans is as
follows:


$4.00 may be charged for loans less than $100.00.


$7.00 may be charged for loans between $101.00 and $500.00.


$10.00 may be charged for loans greater than $500.00.

North Carolina

Interest Rate

Up to 2% per month, thus 36% annually

Additional Charges

Total amount of these additional monthly fees cannot exceed 20% of the principal amount of the loan, with specific maximums applied over time:

$100 for the first month,

$75 for the second and third months, and

$50 for the fourth month and any subsequent months

North Dakota

Interest Rate

No maximum prescibed, but must be agreed upon before the loan starts

Additional Charges

No specified regulation

Pawn Shop Interest Rates in States that Start with an O

Ohio

Interest Rate

Up to 6% per month, thus 72% annually

Additional Charges

$6 storage fee per month

Oklahoma

Interest Rate

The maximum monthly finance charges are:

  • 20% per month  for loans up to $250

  • 15% per month for loans $251–$500

  • 10% per month for loans $501–$1,000

  • 5% per month for loans $1,001–$5,000

  • 3% per month for loans $5,001–$25,000

Additional Charges

None Allowed

Oregon

Interest Rate

Up to 3% per month, thus 36% annually

Additional Charges

10% set-up fee (min $2 and max $250), per item pawned.

7% storage fee (min of $2 and max $250) per item pawned. F

For firearms:

$5 firearm fee

$10 background check fee

$3 fee to renew a firearm loan 

Pawn Shop Interest Rates in States that Start with an P

Pennsylvania

Interest Rate

Up to 0.5% per month, thus 6% annually

Additional Charges

2.5% per month

$1 reporting cost per annum

Broff’s Dimaond & Loan Co is a jewelry pawn shop in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Contact them here 

Pawn Shop Interest Rates in States that Start with an R

Rhode Island

Interest Rate

5% per month, thus 60% annually for loan <$50 and ≤ 3 months, 

2.5% per month, thus 30% annually for loan >$50 and > 3 months

Additional Charges

No additional charges permitted

Pawn Shop Interest Rates in States that Start with an S

South Carolina

Interest Rate

  • For the first $50:
    $2.50 per $10 for every 30 days.

  • For amounts between $50 and $100:
    $2.00 per $10 for every 30 days.

  • For amounts between $100 and $200:
    $1.50 per $10 for every 30 days.

  • For amounts between $200 and $1,000:
    $1.00 per $10 for every 30 days.

  • For amounts over $1,000 (up to a maximum defined in subsection (C)):
    $0.50 per $10 for every 30 days.

Additional Charges

No additional charges permitted

South Dakota

Interest Rate

No specific regulation found

Additional Charges

No specific regulation found

Pawn Shop Interest Rates in States that Start with an T

Tennessee

Interest Rate

Up to 2% per month, or 24% annually 

Additional Charges

20% per month

Texas

Interest Rate

Up to 20% per month, thus 240% annually for a loan ≤ $255

Up to 15% per month, thus 180% annually for a loan > $255 ≤ $1700

Up to 2.5% per month, thus 30% annually for a loan > $1700 ≤ $2550

Up to 1% per month, thus 180% annually for a loan > $2550 ≤ $21250

Additional Charges

No additional charges allowed

Pawn Shop Interest Rates in States that Start with an U

Utah

Interest Rate

No specifically pawnbroker regulations found

Additional Charges

No specifically pawnbroker regulations found

Pawn Shop Interest Rates in States that Start with an V

Vermont

Interest Rate

Up to 5% per month, annually 60% for a loan ≤ $50)

Up to 3% per month, annually 36% for a loans > $50

Additional Charges

No mention of additional charges was found

Virginia

Interest Rate

Up to 10% per month for loans $25 or less

Up to7% per month for loans between $25 and $100

Up to 5% per month for loans $100 or more

Additional Charges

5% or $3 handling and storage fee, whichever is the lowest

Pawn Shop Interest Rates in States that Start with an W

Washington

Interest Rate

$1 – $3.50 per month for a loan up to $100

Up to 4% per month, thus 48% annually for a loan > $100

Additional Charges

$1.50 – $7.50 once off for a loan <$50

15% for a loan $50 – $99.99

13% for a loan $100 – $249.99

10% for a loan $250 – $499.99

8% for a loan $500 – $999.99

7.5% for a loan $1000 – $1499.99

7% for a loan $1500 – $1999.99

6% for a loan >$2000

 

$5 storage fee per 36 day 

$5 additional storage fee for storing a firearm

West Virginia

Interest Rate

Pawnbrokers are not state regulated.

They are regulated on a municipal level

Additional Charges

No regulation

Wisconsin

Interest Rate

3% monthly interest, thus 36% annually

Additional Charges

No additional charges are permitted

Wyoming

Interest Rate

Up to 20% monthly interest, thus 240% annually

Additional Charges

$5 finance charge

Conclusion:

Understanding Pawn Shop Interest Rates and Costs Across the U.S.

When it comes to pawn loans, where you decide to take out your loan makes a huge difference in how much you pay.

States vary widely in how they regulate interest rates and fees, meaning some borrowers face steep costs while others get more affordable terms.

Here’s a simple breakdown to illustrate:

Best States (Lowest Interest & Fees)

Pennsylvania (0.5%), Tennessee (2%), North Carolina (2%), and Missouri (2%).

 Minimal or capped fees

6% or less on a loan of $300 for 1 month

Worst States (Highest Interest & Fees)

Delaware (30%), Mississippi (25%), Montana (25%), Maine (25%), Alabama (25%)

Extra charges like storage, processing, or licencing fees

$75 – $90 in interest & extra fees

Key takeaways for your next pawn loan

It is important to borrow smart in 2025!

When you look at the following key takeaways, it will be clear why.

  • Borrowing Costs Vary Greatly: A $300 pawn loan in Tennessee costs $6 in interest, while the same loan in Delaware costs $9015x more!

  • Fees Matter Too: Even states with moderate interest rates may allow extra fees (storage, security, paperwork) that drive up costs.

  • Some States Keep It Simple: States like Tennessee and Pennsylvania keep fees low, making it easier for borrowers to understand total costs upfront.

  • Other States Allow High Charges: Places like Delaware and Mississippi permit interest rates of 25-30% per month, making pawn loans extremely expensive.

Final Advice for Borrowers

Before taking a pawn loan, always check your state’s regulations on:

Interest rate limits – How much will you be charged monthly?

Additional fees – Are there storage or processing charges?

Loan terms – What happens if you need more time to repay?

If you live in a high-cost state, consider borrowing from a state with more favorable terms.

Some pawnbrokers in states with low pawn loan interest rates, offer online pawn shop services

Understanding these differences can save you hundreds of dollars and help you make an informed decision when using a pawn shop loan. Always compare terms before borrowing!

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, check your state’s official pawn shop regulations.

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Disclaimer

We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information presented here. Extensive research was conducted to verify state-specific regulations at the time of publication. However, laws and policies may change over time. If you have updated or more accurate information regarding pawn shop regulations, we encourage you to share it with us.

Always check your state’s official pawn shop regulations for the most current details.