TAX
Sales Tax Calculator by State - Look Up Any US Rate
By Worldtickers ·
Look up combined state, county, and city sales tax rates for any US location and calculate your total purchase cost including tax.
This sales tax calculator by state tool focuses on look up combined state, county, and city sales tax rates for any US location and calculate your total purchase cost including tax. Use it to estimate tax exposure, deductions, rates, payments, and after-tax outcomes, then test how income, gains, location, filing choices, or timing may change the final estimate.
Calculator
Sales Tax Calculator by State
Calculate total cost with state and local sales tax.
What Is Sales Tax?
Sales tax is a consumption tax imposed by state and local governments on the sale of goods and certain services. It is collected by the seller at the point of sale and remitted to the appropriate government agencies. The rate you pay depends on where the purchase is made — specifically, the state, county, and city where the transaction occurs.
Sales tax is one of the largest sources of revenue for state and local governments, funding schools, infrastructure, public safety, and other services. In the United States, there is no federal sales tax — each state sets its own rate and rules. This means the total sales tax rate on an identical purchase can vary by several percentage points depending on where you are.
The combined rate in any location includes the state rate (which ranges from 0% to over 7%), plus any county, city, and special district taxes. Some areas have no sales tax at all — Oregon, Montana, Delaware, New Hampshire, and Alaska have no statewide tax — while others can exceed 10% when all layers are combined. Five states exempt groceries, and some exempt clothing or prescription drugs.
How to Use This Calculator
Select your state from the dropdown or enter a zip code to look up the combined sales tax rate for your location. The calculator displays the state rate, local rate (county and city combined), and the total combined rate.
Then enter the purchase price of the item or service you are buying. The calculator computes the sales tax amount and the total cost including tax. You can also use this calculator to compare the total cost of a purchase across different states or cities.
For more precise results, use the zip code lookup, which can distinguish between different tax jurisdictions within the same state. Keep in mind that some states have special tax districts (like transportation or stadium districts) that may not be captured by zip code alone.
Formula
The sales tax calculation is straightforward:
Sales Tax = Purchase Price × Combined Tax Rate
Total Cost = Purchase Price + Sales Tax
The combined tax rate is the sum of the state rate, county rate, city rate, and any special district rates. For example, if the state rate is 6%, the county rate is 1.5%, and the city rate is 0.5%, the combined rate is 8%. On a $100 purchase, the sales tax would be $8 and the total cost would be $108.
Note that some states apply sales tax only to the price of the item itself, while others may tax shipping and handling charges as well. Gift wrapping, discounts, and coupons are typically handled according to state-specific rules.
Examples
Example 1: No Sales Tax State
You buy a $500 laptop in Portland, Oregon. Oregon has no state sales tax, and Portland has no local sales tax. Sales tax: $0. Total cost: $500. This is one reason Oregon is a popular destination for cross-border shoppers from neighboring states.
Example 2: High Combined Rate
You buy a $500 laptop in Memphis, Tennessee. The state rate is 7%, the Shelby County rate is 2.25%, and the city rate is 0.35%, for a combined rate of 9.6%. Sales tax: $48. Total cost: $548. This is nearly $50 more than the same purchase in Oregon.
Example 3: Cross-State Comparison
A $1,000 furniture purchase: in Houston, Texas (combined rate ~8.25%), the tax is $82.50 for a total of $1,082.50. In Seattle, Washington (combined rate ~10.25%), the tax is $102.50 for a total of $1,102.50. In Anchorage, Alaska (no state tax, no local tax), the tax is $0 for a total of $1,000. The difference between the cheapest and most expensive locations on this single purchase is over $100.
Tips
Check Exemptions for Necessities
Many states exempt or reduce tax on groceries, prescription medications, clothing, and other necessities. If you are planning a large purchase, check whether your state offers any exemptions that could reduce your tax burden. These exemptions can save hundreds of dollars per year on essential spending.
Online Purchases Usually Tax the Same
Since the Wayfair decision in 2018, most online retailers collect sales tax based on your shipping address. If a seller does not collect it, you technically owe use tax to your state — though enforcement on individual consumers is rare. The total tax on an online purchase is generally the same as buying in a local store.
Consider Purchase Location for Big-Ticket Items
For major purchases like vehicles, furniture, or electronics, the sales tax difference between states can be significant. If you live near a state border, it may be worth comparing the total cost including tax. Some states have specific rules about out-of-state purchases, so research the requirements before buying.
Keep Receipts for Tax Deductions
If you are self-employed or making business purchases, sales tax on qualifying expenses may be deductible on your federal tax return (if you itemize deductions) or deductible as a business expense. Keep detailed receipts to document your sales tax payments.
FAQ
What is the average sales tax rate in the United States?
The average combined state and local sales tax rate in the US is approximately 7.2%, but this varies enormously by state and locality. Tennessee has the highest combined average at over 9.5%, while states like Oregon, Montana, Delaware, and New Hampshire have no sales tax at all.
Do all states charge sales tax?
No. Five states currently have no statewide sales tax: Oregon, Montana, Delaware, New Hampshire, and Alaska. However, some localities in Alaska and Montana may still impose local sales taxes even though there is no state-level tax.
What is the difference between state and local sales tax?
State sales tax is set by the state government and applies statewide. Local sales tax is imposed by counties, cities, or special districts on top of the state rate. For example, a purchase in a major city may be subject to a state rate of 6%, a county rate of 1.5%, and a city rate of 1%, for a combined rate of 8.5%.
Are online purchases subject to sales tax?
Since the 2018 Supreme Court decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, states can require online retailers to collect sales tax if they have a significant economic presence (nexus) in the state. Most major online retailers now collect sales tax based on the buyer's shipping address. If a seller does not collect sales tax, the buyer technically owes use tax to their state.
What items are exempt from sales tax?
Exemptions vary by state but commonly include: unprepared food (groceries), prescription medications, medical devices, clothing (in some states), textbooks, agricultural supplies, and manufacturing equipment. Some states also exempt certain services. Always check your specific state's rules, as exemptions differ significantly.
How do I find the sales tax rate for a specific address?
Use this calculator by entering your state or zip code. For precise rates at a specific address, check your state's Department of Revenue website or use the address lookup feature in this calculator. Local rates can vary by as little as a few city blocks, so zip code alone sometimes isn't precise enough.
Is sales tax regressive?
Sales tax is often described as regressive because it takes a larger percentage of income from lower-income households than from higher-income households. This is because lower-income families spend a higher proportion of their income on taxable goods. Some states address this through exemptions on necessities like groceries or clothing, or through income-based rebates.
Can I get a sales tax refund?
Generally, you cannot get a refund on sales tax for personal purchases. However, if you are a business buyer, government buyer, or qualifying nonprofit, you may be eligible for a refund or exemption. Some states also offer sales tax refunds for out-of-state buyers on purchases made within the state under specific conditions.