Sales Tax by State 2026: Rates Table (All 50 States + DC)

Based on combined state and average local sales tax rates, the top of the 2026 table looks like this:

• Louisiana (LA): Combined rate of 10.13% (5.00% state + 5.13% average local).
• Tennessee (TN): Combined rate of 9.61% (7.00% state + 2.61% average local).
• Washington (WA): Combined rate of 9.57% (6.50% state + 3.07% average local).
• Arkansas (AR): Combined rate of 9.48% (6.50% state + 2.98% average local).
• Alabama (AL): Combined rate of 9.46% (4.00% state + 5.46% average local).

Combined rates include state-level rates plus local surcharges levied by counties, cities, and special transit or school districts. In some jurisdictions, the actual checkout tax rate can exceed 10% due to these local layers -- see the "Highest tracked city rate" column in the table above for real examples. For the full analysis of which state is highest by each measure, read which state has the highest sales tax -- and its mirror, which states have the lowest.

There are five U.S. states that do not impose a statewide general sales tax, often referred to as NOMAD states:

• Delaware (DE): 0% state sales tax, 0% local sales tax.
• Montana (MT): 0% state and local general sales tax. Small resort communities under Montana's Local Option Resort Tax law (including Whitefish and Big Sky) may separately levy a local resort tax, generally capped around 3%, on luxury goods, lodging, and restaurant meals -- this is a distinct tax, not a general sales tax, and doesn't show up in the statewide rate.
• New Hampshire (NH): 0% general sales tax. NH does levy an 8.5% Meals & Rentals (Rooms) Tax on restaurant meals, hotel/short-term rental rooms, and motor vehicle rentals (NH Dept. of Revenue Administration) -- again a selective tax, not a general sales tax.
• Oregon (OR): 0% state sales tax, 0% local sales tax.
• Alaska (AK): 0% state sales tax, but local municipalities are allowed to levy sales taxes up to 7.5% (average local rate is 1.76%).

While these states lack a general sales tax, they may levy other taxes, such as tourism-specific lodging or meals taxes or selective excise taxes on fuel and alcohol.

This interactive sales tax table is designed to help you quickly reference and compare tax rates across the country. You can click on the column headers to sort the states alphabetically or by their state, average local, and combined tax rates. The Rank column shows each state's position by combined rate (1 = highest), and the state rate includes its own rank alongside it.

For a visual representation of how rates differ geographically, check out our interactive U.S. sales tax map. If you need precise tax calculations for a specific address, use our sales tax by ZIP code tool, or access our main sales tax calculator to perform detailed forward and reverse sales tax computations.

Understanding the real dollar difference between major economic hubs is critical for 2026 financial planning. On a standard $1,000 electronics purchase, your base tax burden is $72.50 in California vs. $62.50 in Texas. Once average local surcharges are added, the gap often widens significantly. Compare the California sales tax and Texas sales tax calculators for a full state-by-state breakdown.

Whether an item is taxed at all can matter more than the rate itself. A few broad patterns hold across the 2026 rate landscape:

• Prescription drugs: All 50 states and D.C. exempt prescription medication from sales tax -- the only universal exemption nationwide.
• Groceries: Roughly a dozen states, including California and Texas, fully exempt unprepared grocery food; several others (e.g., Illinois) have moved to eliminate or reduce state-level grocery tax in recent years, while a handful of states still tax groceries at the full combined rate.
• Clothing: Broad clothing exemptions are rare -- Minnesota, New Jersey, New York (items under $110), Pennsylvania, and Vermont are the main examples; most other states tax apparel like any other retail good.

Exemption rules are set at the state level and vary by product category and price threshold, so always confirm specifics on a per-state calculator page, or see the U.S. sales tax map for a category-by-category breakdown.