State Sales Tax Rate Comparison US All Regions
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The Core Combined Rate Formula
Most states stack a state rate on top of local county and city rates. The combined rate is what you actually pay.
Formula = State Rate + Local Rate = Combined Sales Tax Rate
Five states have no state sales tax at all, but local jurisdictions in some of them (like Alaska) still charge local taxes.
Step-By-Step: Find Your Combined Sales Tax Rate
- Find your state’s base rate. Ranges from 0% (Oregon) to 7.25% (California).
- Add your local rate. Counties and cities often add 1-4% on top.
- Combine for the actual rate. That’s what shows up on your receipt.
For example, Los Angeles has a 7.25% state rate plus 2.5% local = 9.75% combined. Anchorage, Alaska has 0% state plus 0% local = 0% combined.
Sales Tax By US Region (2026 Averages)
Here’s the regional breakdown, using combined state and local averages:
| Region | States | Avg Combined Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Coast | CA, OR, WA, NV | 6.5% | Oregon is 0%; California highest |
| Mountain West | CO, UT, AZ, NM, ID, MT, WY | 6.8% | Montana is 0% |
| Southwest | TX, OK, AZ, NM | 8.2% | Texas high local rates |
| Midwest | IL, IN, OH, MI, WI, MN, IA, MO, KS, NE, ND, SD | 7.1% | Varies widely |
| South | TN, KY, AL, MS, LA, AR | 9.0% | Highest region |
| Southeast | FL, GA, SC, NC, VA, WV | 7.0% | Florida high state, low local |
| Mid-Atlantic | NY, NJ, PA, MD, DE | 6.3% | Delaware is 0% |
| New England | MA, CT, RI, VT, NH, ME | 6.4% | New Hampshire is 0% |
| Non-state (DC, PR) | DC, Puerto Rico | 6.0% / 11.5% | PR very high |
A coworker moved from Tennessee (9.55%) to Oregon (0%) last year and figured she’d save a fortune on sales tax — until she realized Oregon’s income tax was higher. Sales tax is one piece of the tax puzzle, not the whole story.
For the highest and lowest states specifically:
| State | Combined Rate (2026 Avg) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 9.55% | 1st highest |
| Louisiana | 9.45% | 2nd |
| Arkansas | 9.30% | 3rd |
| Washington | 9.20% | 4th |
| Alabama | 9.15% | 5th |
| — | — | — |
| Hawaii | 4.50% | 5th lowest |
| Wyoming | 5.40% | 4th |
| Wisconsin | 5.40% | 3rd (varies) |
| Alaska | 1.80% | 2nd |
| Oregon / Montana / Delaware / NH | 0.00% | Lowest |
Run any purchase through the discount and sales tax calculator using your local combined rate to see the exact total. If you’re splitting a big group purchase, the bill tip tax splitter handles tax-inclusive splits, and your monthly budget planner tracks what you actually spent on shopping.
2026 Real Case: Big Purchase Across State Lines
You live in Vancouver, Washington (combined rate 8.7%) and you’re eyeing a $1,499 laptop. Portland, Oregon — 12 miles away — charges 0% sales tax.
- Buy in Washington: $1,499 × 1.087 = $1,629.86
- Drive to Oregon: $1,499 × 1.00 = $1,499.00
- Savings: $130.86
That’s a real $130 saved on a 25-minute drive. People in border towns do this every day. Just be aware that some states have “use tax” rules requiring you to declare out-of-state purchases — though enforcement is rare.
| Purchase Amount | WA (8.7%) | OR (0%) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500 | $543.50 | $500.00 | $43.50 |
| $1,000 | $1,087.00 | $1,000.00 | $87.00 |
| $1,499 | $1,629.86 | $1,499.00 | $130.86 |
| $3,000 | $3,261.00 | $3,000.00 | $261.00 |
For more on the math behind applying these rates, our discount and sales tax steps walks through the formula, and the pre-tax vs post-discount rules explains the order-of-operations gotcha.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which US state has the highest sales tax in 2026?
Tennessee has the highest combined state and local sales tax rate at 9.55% on average. Louisiana (9.45%) and Arkansas (9.30%) follow closely. Some individual cities in these states top 10%.
Which states have no sales tax at all?
Five states — Oregon, Montana, Delaware, New Hampshire, and Alaska — have no state sales tax. Alaska allows local sales taxes, so some cities still charge 1-2%, but the other four are truly sales-tax-free.
Do local sales taxes stack on top of state rates?
Yes. Counties, cities, and special districts can each add their own percentage on top of the state rate. That’s why Los Angeles (9.75%) is much higher than the California state base (7.25%).
Can I avoid sales tax by buying online from another state?
Usually no. Most states now require online retailers to collect sales tax based on the buyer’s shipping address, thanks to the 2018 South Dakota v. Wayfair Supreme Court ruling. Use tax technically applies even when sellers don’t collect.
The Bottom Line
Sales tax varies by 9+ percentage points across the US, and that swings the cost of every big purchase. Know your local combined rate, compare it to neighboring states, and run any large purchase through the discount and sales tax calculator before you swipe — because knowing the rate is the easiest way to keep more money in your pocket.