California Sales Tax Calculator
Calculate the sales tax on any purchase in California. The Golden State has a 7.25% base rate (the highest state base rate in the country), plus city and district taxes that push combined rates as high as 10.75% in some areas.
California's sales tax has two layers. The base rate is 7.25%, which includes 6% state tax, 1% local jurisdiction tax, and 0.25% county tax. On top of this, cities and special districts can add their own voter-approved taxes, typically ranging from 0.5% to 3.5%.
The average combined rate across California is about 8.68%. Some of the highest rates in the state include Santa Fe Springs at 10.75%, Long Beach at 10.25%, and parts of Los Angeles at 10.25%. Lower-rate areas hover around 7.25% to 8%, mostly in rural counties without additional district taxes.
California exempts most groceries (unprepared food) from sales tax, but taxes prepared food, hot beverages, and food sold at restaurants. Prescription medications are exempt. Over-the-counter medicine is taxable. Clothing is fully taxable in California, unlike neighboring Oregon (no sales tax) or some East Coast states that exempt clothing.
Vehicle purchases in California are subject to sales tax at the rate where the vehicle is registered, not where it is purchased. This prevents people from buying cars in lower-tax areas to avoid their home district rate.