Sales Tax Calculator by State
Sales tax in the United States is set state by state, and the rate you pay depends on where you buy, not just what you buy. A sales tax calculator by state fills in the right rate for the state you pick, so you do not have to look it up. The sales tax calculator above covers all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, using the average combined state and local rates from the Tax Foundation’s midyear 2026 table. Pick California and a $100 item costs $109.03 with $9.03 of tax. Pick Oregon and the same item costs $100.00.
The gap between states is bigger than most people expect. Louisiana’s average combined rate is 10.13%, so a $100 item costs $110.13 there, while the same item costs $104.50 in Hawaii, where the average combined rate is 4.50%. On a $1,000 purchase, the difference between Louisiana and Hawaii is $56.30. This page lists the rates for every state, explains why the combined rate matters more than the state rate, and shows how to use the calculator for the state you are shopping in.
Why the Rate Changes by State
There is no federal sales tax, so each state sets its own rate, and most states let cities and counties add their own tax on top. The number on the receipt is the combined rate: the state rate plus the average local rate for that state. That is why the state rate alone is misleading. California’s state rate is 7.25%, the highest in the country, but the average checkout rate is 9.03% once the average local add-on of 1.78% is included. Alabama’s state rate is only 4.00%, yet its average combined rate is 9.46%, because the average local rate there is 5.46% — the highest local average in the country.
Five states have no statewide sales tax at all: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon. Alaska is the asterisk: local Alaskan cities can still charge sales tax, averaging 1.82% statewide and running as high as 7% in some cities. Delaware charges businesses a gross receipts tax instead, so nothing appears at the register. New Hampshire taxes restaurant meals and prepared food at 9% under its meals and rooms tax, but charges no general sales tax. Hawaii uses a General Excise Tax and New Mexico a Gross Receipts Tax, which are not conventional consumer sales taxes but still raise the price.
- State rate. The rate the state sets. It runs from 0% to 7.25%.
- Local rate. The average city and county add-on. It runs from 0% to about 5.46% on average.
- Combined rate. State plus local. This is the rate the calculator uses, and the one you pay.
- No-tax states. Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon have no statewide rate.
Step 1 — Pick the State
Choose the state from the dropdown in the calculator above. The rate field fills in automatically with that state’s average combined rate from the Tax Foundation’s midyear 2026 table. California fills in 9.03%, Louisiana 10.13%, Tennessee 9.61%, Washington 9.57%, Arkansas 9.48% and Alabama 9.46%.
Step 2 — Enter the Price
Enter the price before tax. The default is $100. The calculator multiplies the price by the state’s combined rate and rounds to the nearest cent. A $500 item in Tennessee at 9.61% gives $48.05 of tax and a $548.05 total.
Step 3 — Compare States if You Like
Switch to compare mode to see the same price in California, Texas, New York, Florida, Oregon and the US average side by side. A $100 item costs $109.03 in California, $108.20 in Texas, $108.54 in New York, $106.98 in Florida, $100.00 in Oregon and $107.53 on the US average.
Worked Examples: A $100 Item in Ten States
The table below shows the average combined rate, the tax and the total for a $100 item in ten states, from the Tax Foundation’s midyear 2026 table.
| State | State rate | Avg local rate | Combined rate | Tax on $100 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 5.00% | 5.13% | 10.13% | $10.13 | $110.13 |
| Tennessee | 7.00% | 2.61% | 9.61% | $9.61 | $109.61 |
| Washington | 6.50% | 3.07% | 9.57% | $9.57 | $109.57 |
| Arkansas | 6.50% | 2.98% | 9.48% | $9.48 | $109.48 |
| Alabama | 4.00% | 5.46% | 9.46% | $9.46 | $109.46 |
| California | 7.25% | 1.78% | 9.03% | $9.03 | $109.03 |
| Illinois | 6.25% | 2.73% | 8.98% | $8.98 | $108.98 |
| Texas | 6.25% | 1.95% | 8.20% | $8.20 | $108.20 |
| Florida | 6.00% | 0.98% | 6.98% | $6.98 | $106.98 |
| Oregon | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | $0.00 | $100.00 |
Louisiana is the most expensive state on average, and Oregon is the cheapest, with a $10.13 gap on a $100 item. Alabama shows why the state rate alone misleads: its 4.00% state rate looks low, but its 5.46% average local rate pushes the combined rate to 9.46%, the fifth highest in the country. The rates are averages as of July 1, 2026, so the exact rate in a particular city can be higher or lower.
How to Use the Sales Tax Calculator by State
Three steps give you the tax for any state.
- Pick the state. Use the dropdown in the calculator above. All 50 states and DC are listed.
- Enter the price before tax. The default is $100. The calculator uses the state’s average combined rate.
- Read the tax and the total. The result shows the price, the tax at the combined rate and the total, with the formula underneath.
- Type a custom rate if you know it. If you know the exact local rate for a city or county, type it in the rate field and the result updates.
- Compare states. Switch to compare mode to see the same price in six states at once.
What the Calculator Reports
Each figure tells you something about the state’s tax.
| Figure | What it is | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Average combined rate | State rate plus average local rate | The rate you actually pay |
| Sales tax | Price times the combined rate | How much tax the purchase carries |
| Total including tax | Price plus tax | What you pay at the register |
| Compare table | Same price in six states | Seeing the state gap |
Common Mistakes With State Sales Tax
Most state-rate errors come from using the wrong rate.
- Using the state rate instead of the combined rate. Alabama’s 4.00% state rate hides a 9.46% combined rate. Always use the combined rate for shopping.
- Using a stale rate. Louisiana’s state rate rose to 5% in 2025, and many pages still show the old 4.45%. The calculator’s table is dated July 2026.
- Adding the local rate twice. California, Utah and Virginia include a mandatory statewide local add-on in their published rate, so do not add it again.
- Assuming no tax in Alaska. Alaska has no statewide tax, but local cities charge an average of 1.82%, and some charge up to 7%.
- Forgetting that groceries are taxed in some states. Most states exempt groceries, but Mississippi taxes them at 5%, South Dakota at 4.2%, Tennessee at 4%, Alabama and Utah at 3%, and Idaho at 6% with an offsetting credit.
Tips for Shopping Across State Lines
State lines are not a tax loophole, but knowing the rates still helps.
- Compare before big purchases. On a $1,000 item, the gap between Louisiana at 10.13% and Oregon at 0% is $101.30.
- Remember use tax. Most states with a sales tax also charge a use tax on goods bought elsewhere and brought home, so driving across the border does not always save the tax.
- Check the local rate, not just the state. Two cities in the same state can differ by several points once local taxes are added.
- Online purchases are taxed too. Since the Supreme Court’s Wayfair decision, online sellers collect sales tax based on where the buyer is, not where the seller is.
- Keep the rate table dated. The Tax Foundation updates its rates twice a year. Note the date whenever you save a rate.
State Sales Tax Quick Answers
The rates people look up most often, from the Tax Foundation’s midyear 2026 table.
| State | State rate | Average combined rate | Tax on $100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 5.00% | 10.13% | $10.13 |
| Tennessee | 7.00% | 9.61% | $9.61 |
| Washington | 6.50% | 9.57% | $9.57 |
| California | 7.25% | 9.03% | $9.03 |
| Texas | 6.25% | 8.20% | $8.20 |
| New York | 4.00% | 8.54% | $8.54 |
| Florida | 6.00% | 6.98% | $6.98 |
| Colorado | 2.90% | 7.89% | $7.89 |
| Hawaii | 4.00% | 4.50% | $4.50 |
| Oregon | 0.00% | 0.00% | $0.00 |
Related tools on this site: the main sales tax calculator, the discount calculator for sale prices, and the percentage calculator for any other percentage sum. The rates come from the Tax Foundation’s 2026 sales tax rates, midyear update.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sales tax rate in California?
California’s state rate is 7.25%, the highest in the country, and the average combined rate with local tax is 9.03%. A $100 item costs $109.03 on average in California, but the exact rate depends on the county and city.
Which state has the highest sales tax?
Louisiana has the highest average combined rate at 10.13%, from a 5.00% state rate and a 5.13% average local rate. Tennessee is second at 9.61%, followed by Washington at 9.57%, Arkansas at 9.48% and Alabama at 9.46%.
Which states have no sales tax at all?
Five states have no statewide sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon. Alaska still allows local sales taxes, averaging 1.82% statewide. The other four charge no sales tax at the register, though New Hampshire taxes restaurant meals at 9%.
How much is sales tax on $500 in Texas?
At Texas’s average combined rate of 8.20%, the tax on $500 is $41.00 and the total is $541.00. The state rate is 6.25% and the average local add-on is 1.95%, so the exact total depends on the city.
Is the sales tax rate the same everywhere in a state?
No. The state rate is the same, but local rates vary by city and county, so the combined rate varies too. The calculator uses the population-weighted average combined rate for each state, which is right for a rough check but not for a business filing. Verify the exact rate for the address.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for general information only and is not tax advice. Rates are averages from the Tax Foundation’s midyear 2026 table; your exact rate depends on the county and city. Verify the rate with your local jurisdiction before using it for business or tax filing.