QuickCalc

California Sales Tax Calculator

Work out the sales tax on any purchase in California. The state rate is 7.25%, and the average combined state and local rate is 8.99%.

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Defaults to California's average combined rate of 8.99%. Enter your local rate for an exact figure.
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Results update as you type. Estimates only — not tax advice. Wrong rate for California? Tell us and we will correct it.

California sales tax rates

MeasureRate
Statewide base rate7.25%
Average combined state + local rate8.99%
Range across the state7.25% – 10.75%

Sales tax in major California cities

CityCombined rate
Los Angeles9.50%
San Jose9.375%
San Francisco8.625%
San Diego7.75%

Representative rates. Local districts change them, so confirm the exact figure with the state revenue department or your city before relying on it.

What is taxed in California?

CategoryTreatment
GroceriesExempt
ClothingTaxed
Prescription drugsExempt

What makes California different

California's 7.25% state rate is the highest statewide rate in the country, and it already includes a mandatory 1.25% local add-on that the state collects and redistributes to counties and cities.

Groceries and prescription medicines are exempt from both state and local sales tax. Clothing is fully taxable, with no exemption and no tax-free holiday.

District add-ons vary widely, so the rate you actually pay runs from 7.25% in the cheapest districts to roughly 10.75% in the most expensive ones — a wider spread than any other state.

Frequently asked questions

What is the sales tax rate in California?

The statewide base rate is 7.25%. Adding local taxes, the population-weighted average combined rate is 8.99%. What you actually pay depends on the district, and runs from about 7.25% – 10.75% across the state.

Is there sales tax on groceries in California?

No. Groceries are exempt from sales tax in California.

Does California charge sales tax on clothing?

Yes. Clothing are fully taxable in California.

How do I calculate sales tax in California?

Multiply the price by the total rate that applies where you are buying. For example, a $100 purchase at a combined rate of 8.99% comes to $108.99. Use the state average if you are estimating, and the exact local rate if the amount matters.

Which city in California has the highest sales tax?

Of the cities shown above, Los Angeles is the highest at 9.50%, and San Diego the lowest at 7.75%. City rates change as local districts vote in new levies, so confirm before relying on any single figure.

Rate data: Tax Foundation, "State and Local Sales Tax Rates" (data as of January 1, 2026), and Wikipedia, "Sales taxes in the United States". Data as of January 2026. This page is general information, not tax advice.

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