Borrowing $600: payments and total cost

A $600 loan repaid over 12 months at 35.99% APR, the highest rate Northlight works with, costs $60.27 a month and $723.24 in total. A shorter term or a lower rate brings the cost down.

Updated by the Northlight editorial team, with 3 cited sources

A $600 loan, priced

$600
Repay over
Monthly payment
$60.27
Total repaid
$723.24
Cost of credit
$123.24

12 monthly payments at 35.99% APR, the highest rate Northlight works with. Your lender sets the rate you are offered.

Open the full calculator

Key points

  • At 35.99% APR over 12 months: $60.27 a month and $123.24 in cost of credit.
  • Over 3 months the cost falls to $36.33, with a payment of $212.11.
  • For this amount a credit union or bank loan is usually the cheapest option.
On this page
  1. What a $600 loan costs
  2. The same $600 at a lower rate
  3. Ways to borrow $600
  4. Before you borrow $600
  5. Common questions

What a $600 loan costs

The table shows a $600 loan at 35.99% APR, the highest rate a loan may carry to meet the Northlight standard. Payments are equal every month.

Term Monthly payment Total repaid Cost of credit
3 months $212.11 $636.33 $36.33
6 months $110.76 $664.56 $64.56
12 months $60.27 $723.24 $123.24
24 months $35.43 $850.32 $250.32

A shorter term means a higher payment and a lower total: $36.33 in cost over 3 months against $250.32 over 24.

The same $600 at a lower rate

Your rate depends on the lender, your state and your credit. Over 12 months:

APR Monthly payment Total repaid Cost of credit
9.99% $52.75 $633 $33
19.99% $55.58 $666.96 $66.96
28.00% $57.90 $694.80 $94.80
35.99% $60.27 $723.24 $123.24

Ways to borrow $600

  • Credit union payday alternative loan: $200 to $2,000 for up to 12 months, capped at 28% APR.
  • Installment loan from a licensed lender: equal monthly payments; within our standard the APR is 35.99% or less.
  • A payment plan with the company you owe: often free, and worth one phone call before any loan.

Compare the total you would repay, not only the speed. Our guide to borrowing money fast ranks the options from cheapest to most expensive.

Before you borrow $600

  1. Ask for the APR and the total of payments in writing.
  2. Check that the lender is licensed in your state.
  3. Make sure the payment fits after rent and bills: at 35.99% that is $60.27 a month for 12 months.
  4. If it does not fit, look at payday loan alternatives before you borrow.

Common questions

How much does it cost to borrow $600?

At 35.99% APR, the highest rate we work with, $600 over 12 months costs $123.24: 12 payments of $60.27. A lower rate or a shorter term costs less.

What is the monthly payment on a $600 loan?

It depends on the term and the rate. At 35.99% APR it is $212.11 over 3 months and $35.43 over 24 months.

Can I borrow $600 with bad credit?

Possibly. Lenders look at your income, your existing debts and your bank account as well as your score. A lower score usually means a higher rate, and no lender can tell you the outcome before reviewing an application.

How fast can I get $600?

Many lenders fund the next business day. Faster funding depends on the lender and on your bank’s cut-off times, so do not count on a specific hour.

Is Northlight a lender?

No. Northlight shows what a loan costs and what the law allows. We do not make loans or credit decisions.

See the payment before you apply

Pick an amount and a term. The calculator shows the monthly payment, the total and the cost of credit at the highest APR we allow.

Sources

  1. MyCreditUnion.gov: Payday Alternative Loans
  2. CFPB: How can I tell if a payday lender is licensed in my state?
  3. FTC: What To Know About Payday and Car Title Loans