Sales Tax Calculator

Los Angeles
Sales Tax Calculator

Calculate LA sales tax instantly. With a rate of 9.750%, Los Angeles combines California's high state tax with county taxes.

LA Combined Rate
9.750%
$

About California Sales Tax

State rate: 7.250%
Local rate in Los Angeles County: 2.500%
Combined rate in Los Angeles: 9.750%
LA Rate
9.750%
CA State Tax
7.25%
County Tax
2.50%
Population
3.8M

How to Calculate Sales Tax in Los Angeles

Sales Tax Calculation
Los Angeles, California
Example Purchase
1
Determine the purchase price
Purchase price (before tax) $500.00
2
Multiply by the tax rate
$500.00 × 9.75% (0.0975)
Sales tax $48.75
3
Add to the original price
$500.00 + $48.75
TOTAL AMOUNT DUE $548.75
Thank you for your purchase

Reverse Calculation

Know the total? Divide by 1.0975 to find the pre-tax price. Example: $109.75 ÷ 1.0975 = $100.00

What's Taxed?

Taxable: Most items, all clothing, electronics
Exempt: Groceries, prescription drugs

Understanding LA's Sales Tax Components

California State: 7.25%

California's state rate of 7.25% is the highest statewide rate in the nation. It includes 6% base state tax plus 1.25% mandatory local tax that is distributed to cities and counties throughout California.

LA County: 2.5%

Los Angeles County adds a 2.5% district tax, which includes 0.5% from Measure A (homelessness services), 1% from Measure M (transportation), and other county taxes. Some cities within LA County add city taxes, pushing rates to 10.25% or higher.

Total Combined Rate: 7.25% (state) + 2.5% (county) = 9.750% for the City of Los Angeles. Rates vary in other LA County cities, ranging from 9.5% to 10.5%.

Sales Tax Rates Across LA County

Sales tax rates vary across Los Angeles County. While the City of LA has 9.750%, other cities have different rates based on additional city taxes, with some reaching 10.5%.

City/Area Region Population Sales Tax Rate
Los Angeles (City) Downtown LA 3,822,238 9.750%
Santa Monica Westside 93,076 9.750%
Long Beach South Bay 449,468 10.500%
Pasadena San Gabriel Valley 138,699 10.500%
Glendale San Fernando Valley 196,021 10.500%

Note: Rates shown are current as of April 2025. Cities like Long Beach, Pasadena, and Glendale have additional city taxes that bring their total to 10.5%, the highest rate in LA County.

LA vs. Other California Cities

See how LA's sales tax compares to other major cities in California

City County Population Sales Tax Rate
Los Angeles ⭐ Los Angeles 3,822,238 9.750%
San Diego San Diego 1,386,932 7.750%
San Jose Santa Clara 1,013,240 9.375%
San Francisco San Francisco 873,965 8.625%
Fresno Fresno 542,107 8.350%
Sacramento Sacramento 524,943 8.750%
Long Beach Los Angeles 449,468 10.500%
Oakland Alameda 440,646 10.250%
Bakersfield Kern 403,455 8.250%
Anaheim Orange 346,824 7.750%
Santa Ana Orange 310,227 7.750%

LA vs. Neighboring States

Compare LA's sales tax to nearby Arizona and Nevada

Los Angeles, CA
9.750%
7.25% State + 2.5% County
CA has highest state rate
Arizona
+ up to 5.6% local tax
5.600%
Nevada
+ up to 3.67% local tax
6.85%

California has the highest state sales tax in the nation at 7.25%. LA's 9.750% rate is competitive with major metros but significantly higher than neighboring Arizona (5.6%) and Nevada (6.85%).

LA vs. Other Major US Cities

How does LA's 9.75% rate compare to other large cities?

City State Sales Tax Rate Comparison
Tuscaloosa Alabama 11.00% +1.25%
Seattle Washington 10.35% +0.60%
Chicago Illinois 10.25% +0.50%
Los Angeles ⭐ California 9.75% Baseline
New York City New York 8.875% -0.875%
Phoenix Arizona 8.60% -1.15%
Houston Texas 8.25% -1.50%
Boston Massachusetts 6.25% -3.50%

Key Insight: LA's 9.75% rate is higher than most major cities but still moderate within California. While lower than Chicago (10.25%) and Seattle (10.35%), it's significantly higher than Houston (8.25%) and Boston (6.25%).

Iconic LA Shopping Districts

All City of LA locations have the same 9.75% sales tax rate

Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills

World-famous luxury shopping street with designer boutiques including Chanel, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton. Note: Beverly Hills has a 10.5% rate (as of April 2025), higher than LA city's 9.75%. High-end purchases incur significant tax.

Tax on $5,000 purchase: $525.00 • Beverly Hills rate: 10.5%

The Grove & Fairfax District

Popular outdoor shopping center and historic Farmers Market area. Mix of national retailers, restaurants, and entertainment venues. LA city rate of 9.75% applies throughout this area.

Tax on $1,000 purchase: $97.50 • LA rate: 9.75%

Downtown LA Fashion District

Massive wholesale and retail garment district spanning 100+ blocks. Popular for bargain shopping and bulk purchases. LA's 9.75% rate adds up quickly on large wholesale orders.

Tax on $500 purchase: $48.75 • Wholesale savings offset by tax

Melrose Avenue

Trendy shopping street known for vintage boutiques, streetwear, and designer consignment. Attracts fashion-forward shoppers and tourists. Same 9.75% LA rate applies to all stores along Melrose.

Tax on $300 purchase: $29.25 • Vintage/consignment still taxable

Shopping Tip: Watch for boundary lines! Beverly Hills (10.5%), Culver City (10.5%), and Santa Monica (9.75%) have different rates than LA city. Major purchases near city borders could save or cost you extra depending on location. The 0.75% difference between LA and Beverly Hills equals $75 on a $10,000 purchase.

LA Sales Tax Rate History

April 2025 - Present
9.75%

Current rate: 7.25% state + 2.5% county. Effective April 1, 2025, the rate increased from 9.5% to 9.75% when Measure A (0.5% for homelessness services and affordable housing) replaced the expiring Measure H (0.25%), resulting in a net increase of 0.25%. This combines with Measure M (1% for transportation) approved in 2016.

March 2017 - March 2025
9.50%

Rate was 9.5% during this period: 7.25% state + 2.25% county. LA County voters approved Measure H in March 2017 (0.25% for homeless services) to supplement the earlier Measure M (1% for transportation). Measure H expired in 2025 and was replaced by Measure A.

Pre-2017
9.00% - 9.25%

LA's sales tax was around 9% before Measure H. California's state rate increased to 7.25% in 2011 under Proposition 30 to fund education and public safety. County and local rates varied based on transportation funding measures and other initiatives.

Future Outlook: Measure A has no sunset date, meaning the 0.5% rate continues indefinitely unless repealed by voters. Measure M (transportation) runs until 2057. Any future rate changes would require voter approval through county ballot measures. California's 7.25% state rate could change through state legislation or ballot initiatives.

Sales Tax on Vehicles in Los Angeles

How LA's 9.75% rate affects car purchases and leases

Vehicle Tax Examples

$30,000 New Car
$2,925.00 tax
Total: $32,925.00
$50,000 Luxury Vehicle
$4,875.00 tax
Total: $54,875.00
$15,000 Used Car
$1,462.50 tax
Total: $16,462.50

Comparison: LA buyers pay $150 less than Chicago (10.25%) on a $30,000 car, but $262.50 more than NYC (8.875%).

Important Vehicle Tax Info

Private Party Sales: California requires you to pay sales tax when registering a vehicle purchased from a private seller. Tax is based on the purchase price or fair market value (whichever is higher) as determined by the DMV.
Trade-In Credit: California allows you to deduct your trade-in value from the purchase price before calculating sales tax. Trading in a $10,000 car when buying a $30,000 car means you only pay tax on $20,000 ($1,950 instead of $2,925).
Out-of-State Purchases: If you buy a vehicle outside California but register it with an LA address, you owe LA's 9.75% rate. You'll receive credit for sales tax paid in the other state (up to the CA rate).
Vehicle Leases: Leases are subject to 9.75% tax on each monthly payment in California. For a $500/month lease, you pay $48.75 in sales tax per month ($585 annually).
Clean Vehicle Rebate: California offers rebates up to $7,500 for electric vehicles through CVRP, which can help offset the sales tax burden on eco-friendly vehicles.

Cross-Border Shopping: Some LA residents consider buying vehicles in Oregon (no sales tax) to save money. However, California requires you to pay use tax when registering the vehicle, eliminating the savings. The DMV actively tracks out-of-state purchases to California addresses.

Got Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators & Resources

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on current Los Angeles sales tax rates as of January 2025. Tax rates are subject to change by state and local legislation. For official tax rates and specific guidance on your situation, please consult the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration or a qualified tax professional.

Not Legal or Tax Advice: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. Always verify current rates before making large purchases or business decisions.

Sources: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA), Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, California State Board of Equalization

Last updated: October 13, 2025