QuickCalc

North Carolina Sales Tax Calculator

Work out the sales tax on any purchase in North Carolina. The state rate is 4.75%, and the average combined state and local rate is 7.00%.

$
%
Defaults to North Carolina's average combined rate of 7.00%. Enter your local rate for an exact figure.
Sales tax—
Total price—
Rate you entered—

Results update as you type. Estimates only — not tax advice. Wrong rate for North Carolina? Tell us and we will correct it.

North Carolina sales tax rates

MeasureRate
Statewide base rate4.75%
Average combined state + local rate7.00%
Range across the state6.75% – 8.25%

Sales tax in major North Carolina cities

CityCombined rate
Charlotte8.25%
Raleigh7.25%
Durham7.50%
Greensboro7.00%

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 North Carolina?

CategoryTreatment
GroceriesReduced – about 2% county tax
ClothingTaxed
Prescription drugsExempt

What makes North Carolina different

North Carolina charges a flat 4.75% state rate plus a uniform 2% county rate in every county, which is why the combined rate is unusually consistent across the state.

Food for home consumption is not fully exempt: it is taxed at the reduced county rate of about 2% rather than the full state and local rate.

Charlotte's rate rose to 8.25% on July 1, 2026 after Mecklenburg County added a new 1% levy — check current rates before relying on any city figure.

Prescription drugs are exempt; clothing is taxable.

Frequently asked questions

What is the sales tax rate in North Carolina?

The statewide base rate is 4.75%. Adding local taxes, the population-weighted average combined rate is 7.00%. What you actually pay depends on the district, and runs from about 6.75% – 8.25% across the state.

Is there sales tax on groceries in North Carolina?

Partly. Groceries in North Carolina are taxed at a reduced effective rate (about 2% county tax).

Does North Carolina charge sales tax on clothing?

Yes. Clothing are fully taxable in North Carolina.

How do I calculate sales tax in North Carolina?

Multiply the price by the total rate that applies where you are buying. For example, a $100 purchase at a combined rate of 7.00% comes to $107.00. Use the state average if you are estimating, and the exact local rate if the amount matters.

Which city in North Carolina has the highest sales tax?

Of the cities shown above, Charlotte is the highest at 8.25%, and Greensboro the lowest at 7.00%. 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.

Other states