North Dakota sales tax at a glance
North Dakota's typical combined rate of 7.09% ranks 23th highest among the 50 states.
What sales tax adds at the register
At the average combined rate of 7.09%:
| Price | Sales tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $25 | $1.77 | $26.77 |
| $100 | $7.09 | $107.09 |
| $500 | $35.45 | $535.45 |
| $2,000 | $141.80 | $2,141.80 |
North Dakota vs. the national average and its neighbors
The average combined state-and-local sales tax across the 50 states is about 6.66%. North Dakota's 7.09% is 0.43 points above that — on a $30,000 car, about $129 more than the national average buyer pays. Combined with a graduated income tax topping out at 2.5%, that shapes how North Dakota funds itself — see the North Dakota paycheck calculator for the payroll side.
Border shopping is real: here's what the same purchases cost across state lines, at each state's average combined rate.
| State | Combined rate | Tax on $250 | Tax on $30,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 7.09% | $17.73 | $2,127 |
| Montana | 0% | $0.00 | $0 |
| South Dakota | 6.11% | $15.28 | $1,833 |
| Minnesota | 8.14% | $20.35 | $2,442 |
Vehicle purchases are usually taxed by the state where the car is registered, not where it's bought — so the car column shows the rate you'd owe as a resident, not a border-shopping opportunity.
Reading a North Dakota receipt
A North Dakota receipt typically shows tax as a single line at the combined rate, even though the money is split between the state and one or more local jurisdictions. To check a receipt: multiply the taxable subtotal by 0.0709 (the 7.09% average) — if the tax line is meaningfully higher, you're in a locality above the average, up to 8.75%; if lower, some items were exempt (groceries and prescriptions are exempt or reduced in most states). The reverse mode on the calculator above recovers the pre-tax price from any total.
Frequently asked questions
+What is the sales tax in North Dakota in 2026?
North Dakota's state sales tax is 5%. Cities, counties and districts add local taxes averaging 2.09% (population-weighted), for a typical combined rate of 7.09% — and up to 8.75% in the highest-tax localities.
+How do I calculate North Dakota sales tax backwards from a total?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate as a decimal. At 7.09%, a $107.09 total means a $100.00 price and $7.09 tax. Choose "Total after tax (reverse)" above to do it automatically.
+Do online orders charge North Dakota sales tax?
Yes. Since the Wayfair decision, large online sellers must collect North Dakota sales tax based on your delivery address — the same state and local rate you'd pay in a store.
+How much is sales tax on a $30,000 car in North Dakota?
About $2,127 at the 7.09% average combined rate ($1,500 at the 5% state rate alone). Vehicle tax is generally assessed by your state of registration and collected when you title the car; some states cap or exempt private-party sales.
+How does North Dakota's sales tax compare nationally?
North Dakota's 7.09% average combined rate ranks 23th highest of the 50 states, versus a national average of about 6.66%.
+Is the rate the same everywhere in North Dakota?
No. Local rates vary by city and county, from 5% (state only) up to about 8.75%. Use a recent receipt or your state revenue department's lookup for your exact address.
Rates as of July 1, 2026, from state revenue departments compiled by the Tax Foundation; local averages are population-weighted. Product exemptions (groceries, clothing, medicine) vary by state. Estimates only — see our terms.