Pennsylvania sales tax at a glance
Pennsylvania's typical combined rate of 6.34% ranks 34th highest among the 50 states. Only Allegheny County (+1%) and Philadelphia (+2%) add local sales tax. Clothing and groceries are exempt.
What sales tax adds at the register
At the average combined rate of 6.34%:
| Price | Sales tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $25 | $1.59 | $26.58 |
| $100 | $6.34 | $106.34 |
| $500 | $31.70 | $531.70 |
| $2,000 | $126.80 | $2,126.80 |
Pennsylvania vs. the national average and its neighbors
The average combined state-and-local sales tax across the 50 states is about 6.66%. Pennsylvania's 6.34% is 0.32 points below that — on a $30,000 car, about $96 less than the national average buyer pays. Combined with a 3.07% flat income tax, that shapes how Pennsylvania funds itself — see the Pennsylvania 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 6.34% | $15.85 | $1,902 |
| Delaware | 0% | $0.00 | $0 |
| Maryland | 6% | $15.00 | $1,800 |
| New Jersey | 6.6% | $16.50 | $1,980 |
| West Virginia | 6.6% | $16.50 | $1,980 |
| Ohio | 7.29% | $18.23 | $2,187 |
| New York | 8.54% | $21.35 | $2,562 |
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 Pennsylvania receipt
A Pennsylvania 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 0.0634 (the 6.34% average) — if the tax line is meaningfully higher, you're in a locality above the average, up to 8%; 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 Pennsylvania in 2026?
Pennsylvania's state sales tax is 6%. Cities, counties and districts add local taxes averaging 0.34% (population-weighted), for a typical combined rate of 6.34% — and up to 8% in the highest-tax localities. Only Allegheny County (+1%) and Philadelphia (+2%) add local sales tax. Clothing and groceries are exempt.
+How do I calculate Pennsylvania sales tax backwards from a total?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate as a decimal. At 6.34%, a $106.34 total means a $100.00 price and $6.34 tax. Choose "Total after tax (reverse)" above to do it automatically.
+Do online orders charge Pennsylvania sales tax?
Yes. Since the Wayfair decision, large online sellers must collect Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
About $1,902 at the 6.34% average combined rate ($1,800 at the 6% 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 Pennsylvania's sales tax compare nationally?
Pennsylvania's 6.34% average combined rate ranks 34th highest of the 50 states, versus a national average of about 6.66%.
+Is the rate the same everywhere in Pennsylvania?
No. Local rates vary by city and county, from 6% (state only) up to about 8%. 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.