Best Personal Loans in San Diego, CA

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Updated: September 20, 2024

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California Coast Credit Union is the best personal loan lender in San Diego, California, with a MoneyGeek score of 98 out of 100. It excels in customer service, offers flexible repayment terms and has a quick application and approval process. Laurel Road is the best lender for online personal loans, with a MoneyGeek score of 93 out of 100. It stands out for its strong customer service, broad repayment terms and credibility and transparency about its loan terms.

MoneyGeek prioritized local lenders and scored them based on factors like interest rates, loan terms, the loan application process and the speed of loan funding to gather our best city recommendations. If you're looking for national lenders, we compiled our top picks for the best personal loans in California.

MoneyGeek analyzed hundreds of lenders based on a rubric that includes APR ranges, loan amounts and repayment terms, among other key areas. We use a point-based system, assigning scores according to the presence or absence of certain desirable features in various critical categories.

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Our overall analysis was completed in August 2024. Here we considered banks and credit unions with brick and mortar locations in San Diego, California. We also looked at online-only lenders licensed to do business in the state.

325Lenders Analyzed Nationally

Overall Best Personal Loan in San Diego, CA

Company logo for California Coast Credit Union
California Coast Credit Union

MoneyGeek Score98
APR RangeFrom 10.88%
Loan Amount Range$500 to $30,000
Repayment TermsUp to 60 months
Time to Receive FundsUndisclosed
Overview

California Coast Credit Union is the best personal loan lender in San Diego, California, with a MoneyGeek score of 98 out of 100. It is federally insured by the NCUA and accepts co-borrowers, making it a secure and flexible choice for borrowers. However, its borrowing limit is $30,000, which might be insufficient for those needing larger sums. It also does not offer a prequalification option.

Best Online Personal Loan in San Diego, CA

Company logo for Laurel Road
Laurel Road

MoneyGeek Score93
APR Range9.49% to 24.50%
Loan Amount Range$5,000 to $45,000
Repayment Terms36 to 60 months
Time to Receive FundsWithin 7 Days
Overview

Laurel Road is the best online lender for personal loans in San Diego, California, with a MoneyGeek score of 93 out of 100. Its personal loan amounts range from $5,000 to $45,000, with repayment terms of 36 to 60 months. The lender offers a 0.25% autopay discount and doesn't charge origination fees, which can make loans more affordable. However, it requires a relatively high minimum loan amount of $5,000. It also charges a late fee of 5% or $28, which could increase the cost of the loan if a payment is missed.

Calculate Your Monthly Payment in San Diego, CA

The United States Census Bureau reported that the median annual household income in San Diego, California, in 2022 was $100,010. Whether your actual income is above or below this median value, your ability to afford the monthly loan payments is key. Use our personal loan calculator to estimate your monthly loan payments and the total loan cost by entering the loan amount, rate and terms.

For example, if you take out a $10,000 personal loan with a 10% interest rate and a three-year repayment term, the monthly loan payments will be $323, which equates to $3,876 per year. This amount represents approximately 4% of the median annual household income in San Diego, California.

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Updated: Sep 21, 2024

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Runner-Up for Best Personal Loan in San Diego, CA

Company logo for Mission Fed Credit Union
Mission Fed Credit Union

MoneyGeek Score95
APR RangeFrom 10.24%
Loan Amount Range$500 to $30,000
Repayment TermsUp to 48 months
Time to Receive FundsUndisclosed
Overview

Mission Fed Credit Union is the runner-up for the best personal loans in San Diego, California, receiving a MoneyGeek score of 95 out of 100. It is federally insured by the NCUA, providing a layer of security for borrowers. Additionally, it charges no fees or prepayment penalties, making it a cost-effective option. On the downside, you need to be a member to apply, which can limit accessibility. It also lacks an option to prequalify, which means you can't see your potential rates without a hard credit inquiry.

Other Options for Personal Loans in San Diego, CA

Company logo for Wheelhouse Credit Union
Wheelhouse Credit Union

MoneyGeek Score90
APR RangeFrom 12.49%
Loan Amount Range$500 to $25,000
Repayment TermsUp to 60 months
Time to Receive FundsUndisclosed
Overview

Wheelhouse Credit Union is a strong option for personal loans in San Diego, California, with a MoneyGeek score of 90 out of 100. It is federally insured by the NCUA, ensuring your funds are protected. It has no penalty for early repayment, giving you the flexibility to repay your loan ahead of schedule. However, the borrowing limit is $25,000, which might be restrictive for some borrowers. Additionally, it doesn't allow prequalification, which could be a downside for those who want to check their eligibility without affecting their credit score.

Company logo for San Diego County Credit Union
San Diego County Credit Union

MoneyGeek Score89
APR RangeFrom 15.50%
Loan Amount RangeUp to $10,000
Repayment TermsUp to 60 months
Time to Receive FundsUndisclosed
Overview

San Diego County Credit Union ranks well among personal loan providers in San Diego, California, with a MoneyGeek score of 89 out of 100. It is federally insured by the NCUA, providing extra security for borrowers. Additionally, it offers loan assistance for struggling borrowers, making it a supportive option. However, its $10,000 maximum loan amount may limit financing options for those needing larger sums. Also, there is no option to prequalify, potentially making it harder to gauge eligibility and terms upfront.

National Lenders With Physical Locations in San Diego, CA

Borrowers in San Diego, California, looking for the best personal loans who also appreciate the in-person experience a national lender offers have a choice of reputable lenders. Among the available options are Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank, OneMain Financial and PenFed. These lenders provide various personal loan products and services to meet diverse financial needs.

OneMain FinancialAPR Range18.00% to 35.99%Loan Amount Range$1,500 to $20,000Repayment Terms24 to 60 months
PenFedAPR Range7.99% to 17.99%Loan Amount RangeUp to $50,000Repayment TermsUp to 60 months
U.S. BankAPR Range8.74% to 24.99%Loan Amount Range$1,000 to $50,000Repayment Terms12 to 84 months
Wells FargoAPR Range7.49% to 23.24%Loan Amount Range$3,000 to $100,000Repayment Terms12 to 84 months

What to Do if You Can't Get a Personal Loan in San Diego, CA

Your personal loan application in San Diego, California, can get denied due to various reasons like a low credit score, negative financial history or an unfavorable debt-to-income ratio. If this happens, there are some steps you can take to navigate this setback.

1
Find out the reason for the denial

Some lenders may deny your loan application due to a poor credit score, high debt-to-income ratio, low income level or errors in your application. Review the reasons to improve your weak areas and prevent another loan application denial in the future.

2
Modify your loan terms

You can try asking your lender if you can adjust the loan amount or repayment terms to get approved.

3
Look for another lender

Different lenders have varying eligibility criteria for personal loan approval. Shopping around and considering factors such as minimum credit score requirements, interest rates, loan terms, additional fees and customer service can help you find the best lender for your particular needs and circumstances.

4
Explore credit counseling services

Lenders often look at your debt-to-income ratio when evaluating your loan application. You may consider a credit counseling agency to manage your credit card debt better and develop your budget. You can search for credit counseling services using the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation's published list of nonprofit credit counseling agencies. The Department of Justice's list of approved credit counseling agencies is another resource you can check.

FAQ About Personal Loans in San Diego, CA

We addressed frequently asked questions about the best personal loans in San Diego, California, offering valuable insight to help you make informed decisions.

Who is the best overall personal loan lender in San Diego, California?

California Coast Credit Union is the best overall personal loan lender in San Diego, California. It has an APR range from 10.88%, loan amounts from $500 to $30,000 and repayment terms of up to 60 months.

What are personal loans used for in San Diego, California?

You can use personal loans for various needs such as home improvements, medical expenses and emergency circumstances. However, some lenders may limit how you can use the funds. For instance, personal loans typically can't be used for college tuition or illegal activity.

What are the interest rates on personal loans in San Diego, California?

In San Diego, California, personal loans have APRs ranging from 10.24% to 15.50%, based on the lenders in our database. It's wise to compare personal loan rates to find the most favorable terms for your situation.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of personal loans?

Personal loans offer lower interest rates for qualified borrowers, allow for debt consolidation and often provide quick access to funds. However, they also have risks, such as origination fees and the potential for collateral loss in secured loans.

What are some personal loan red flags to look out for?

When considering personal loans, be aware of risks like extremely high APRs, a lack of transparency about loan origination and a high number of poor consumer reviews. These characteristics could signal predatory lending practices.

How to apply for a personal loan online?

Numerous lenders now enable online personal loan applications through their websites, offering quick and user-friendly forms for applicants.

Can I get a personal loan with bad credit in San Diego, California?

Getting a personal loan with bad credit is feasible but can be difficult. Review our suggestions for the best loans for bad credit and best loans for bad credit in California to understand your options.

What are the best low-interest personal loans in San Diego, California?

We have compiled some of the best low-interest personal loans to help you evaluate your options with ease.

What is an installment loan? Is there a difference between personal loans and installment loans in San Diego, California?

Personal loans in San Diego, California, are a type of installment loan, which refers to loans with a set payment schedule.

Is there a difference between credit union loans and bank loans in San Diego, California?

Credit union loans may offer lower interest rates and different application requirements than bank loans. Both require a bank account or checking account to apply for a loan.

About Christopher Boston


Christopher Boston headshot

Christopher (Croix) Boston was the Head of Loans content at MoneyGeek, with over five years of experience researching higher education, mortgage and personal loans.

Boston has a bachelor's degree from the Seattle Pacific University. They pride themselves in using their skills and experience to create quality content that helps people save and spend efficiently.


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The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the rates mentioned may have changed. We recommend visiting the lender's website for the most up-to-date information available.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, lender or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.