2026 US Sales Tax Calculator
Calculate the sales tax and total purchase cost for any U.S. state. Enter your purchase price and state to get the combined state, county, and city rate with a full breakdown.
Sales tax is a consumption tax calculated as a percentage of the purchase price at the point of sale. The formula is simple: Tax = Purchase Price × Combined Rate, where the combined rate is the sum of the state rate, county rate, and any applicable city or special district rate. Total out-of-pocket cost = Purchase Price × (1 + Combined Rate).
Per Tax Foundation's "State and Local Sales Tax Rates, 2026," the national average combined rate is approximately 7.1%. State rates range from 0% (five NOMAD states) to 7.25% (California). When county and city rates are added, the highest combined rates in the country exceed 11%.
Worked example: A $500 purchase in Memphis, Tennessee (state 7% + Shelby County 2.25% + Memphis city 0.5% = 9.75% combined). Sales tax = $500 × 0.0975 = $48.75. Total = $548.75.
How it's calculated
How to use this calculator
- Enter the purchase price (before tax).
- Select your state — the state base rate is applied automatically.
- Optionally enter a local rate (county + city) if you know it from your jurisdiction.
- The result shows the tax amount, combined rate, and total cost including tax.
Formula and assumptions
combinedRate = stateRate + countyRate + cityRate
salesTax = purchasePrice × combinedRate
totalCost = purchasePrice + salesTax
= purchasePrice × (1 + combinedRate)- State rates
- Tax Foundation 2026 statewide rates; does not model item-level exemptions
- Local rates
- User-entered; defaults to state average local rate if left blank
- Exemptions
- Food, prescription drugs, and other exemptions not modeled — consult your state revenue dept
Worked example
$1,200 laptop purchase in Austin, Texas
State sales tax rate comparison
The table below shows combined state + average local sales tax rates for selected states as of 2026 (Source: Tax Foundation "State and Local Sales Tax Rates, 2026"). Local rates are county-population-weighted averages within each state.
| State | State rate | Avg local rate | Combined avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest combined | |||
| Louisiana | 4.45% | 5.11% | 9.56% |
| Tennessee | 7.00% | 2.55% | 9.55% |
| Arkansas | 6.50% | 2.96% | 9.46% |
| Washington | 6.50% | 2.72% | 9.22% |
| Alabama | 4.00% | 5.22% | 9.22% |
| Lowest combined | |||
| Alaska | 0.00% | 1.76% | 1.76% |
| Hawaii | 4.00% | 0.44% | 4.44% |
| Wyoming | 4.00% | 1.36% | 5.36% |
| Wisconsin | 5.00% | 0.43% | 5.43% |
| Maine | 5.50% | 0.00% | 5.50% |
Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon have 0% combined rates (no state or local sales tax). Source: Tax Foundation "State and Local Sales Tax Rates, 2026."
Limitations
- Rates are statewide averages — actual rates in your jurisdiction may differ.
- Item-level exemptions (groceries, prescription drugs, clothing) are not modeled.
- Special district taxes (transit, tourism, stadium) may add additional layers.
- Educational estimate only — verify rates with your state revenue department.
Frequently asked questions
Total cost with sales tax = Price × (1 + Combined Rate). The combined rate stacks state, county, and city rates. For a $500 purchase at 9.75% combined (Memphis, TN), total = $548.75. The national average combined rate is ~7.1% in 2026 per Tax Foundation. Reverse-calculate tax from a total: Price = Total ÷ (1 + Rate).
Recent updates
- May 2026Initial launch with state-level combined average rates sourced from Tax Foundation 2026 data.
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