$300 is the workhorse number of the payday industry — the classic minimum advance, and the amount whose price varies more by state than any other. The same $300 borrowed for the same two weeks costs $45 in California and about $90 in the highest-cap states, and in 13 states it can’t be legally borrowed at all. Here’s the map, the math, and the fastest legitimate routes.
What $300 Costs, State by State
| State (example) | Fee on $300 | Total repaid | Approx. APR |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $45.00 | $345.00 | ~460% |
| Florida | $47.50 | $347.50 | ~412% |
| Alabama | $52.50 | $352.50 | ~456% |
| Idaho | $60.00 | $360.00 | ~521% |
| Texas (CAB model) | ~$60.00 | ~$360.00 | ~400–600% |
| 36%-cap states (OH, CO…) | APR-capped installment | schedule | Max 36% |
Every one of the 38 rows — statute, regulator, rollover rules — is in the cost study, computed from published state rules.
Three Honest Routes to $300
- Free tier first. Bill splits, overdraft cushions, and app advances ($20–$250) cover part or all of $300 at little or no cost — the alternatives ladder ranks them.
- A $300 payday advance. The standard route when speed matters: soft-check request, decision in minutes, one repayment on payday. Start at the request form — free, no obligation.
- A short installment loan. If $345 in a single debit breaks the budget, the same $300 spread over months costs less per dollar — installment options run 6.63%–225% APR.
Requirements — the Same Everywhere
18+, verifiable income near $1,000/month, an open checking account, and a reachable phone or email. No collateral, no co-signer. The request is free and soft-check; the lender you connect with sets approval, amount and rates.
The Rollover Warning, One Last Time
At $52.50 per cycle, four rollovers cost $210 without touching the $300 principal — the pattern regulators document in most payday complaints. If the repayment date arrives and the money hasn’t, don’t roll: read the debt-cycle plan or ask your lender about an extended payment plan before the due date.