Texas sales tax at a glance
Texas's typical combined rate of 8.2% ranks 14th highest among the 50 states. Local jurisdictions in Texas are capped at 2% combined, so no address exceeds 8.25%.
What sales tax adds at the register
At the average combined rate of 8.2%:
| Price | Sales tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $25 | $2.05 | $27.05 |
| $100 | $8.20 | $108.20 |
| $500 | $41.00 | $541.00 |
| $2,000 | $164.00 | $2,164.00 |
Texas vs. the national average and its neighbors
The average combined state-and-local sales tax across the 50 states is about 6.66%. Texas's 8.2% is 1.54 points above that — on a $30,000 car, about $462 more than the national average buyer pays. Combined with no state income tax, that shapes how Texas funds itself — see the Texas 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 8.2% | $20.50 | $2,460 |
| New Mexico | 7.68% | $19.20 | $2,304 |
| Oklahoma | 9.06% | $22.65 | $2,718 |
| Arkansas | 9.48% | $23.70 | $2,844 |
| Louisiana | 10.13% | $25.33 | $3,039 |
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 Texas receipt
A Texas 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 0.0820 (the 8.2% average) — if the tax line is meaningfully higher, you're in a locality above the average, up to 8.25%; 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 Texas in 2026?
Texas's state sales tax is 6.25%. Cities, counties and districts add local taxes averaging 1.95% (population-weighted), for a typical combined rate of 8.2% — and up to 8.25% in the highest-tax localities. Local jurisdictions in Texas are capped at 2% combined, so no address exceeds 8.25%.
+How do I calculate Texas sales tax backwards from a total?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate as a decimal. At 8.2%, a $108.20 total means a $100.00 price and $8.20 tax. Choose "Total after tax (reverse)" above to do it automatically.
+Do online orders charge Texas sales tax?
Yes. Since the Wayfair decision, large online sellers must collect Texas 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 Texas?
About $2,460 at the 8.2% average combined rate ($1,875 at the 6.25% 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 Texas's sales tax compare nationally?
Texas's 8.2% average combined rate ranks 14th highest of the 50 states, versus a national average of about 6.66%.
+Is the rate the same everywhere in Texas?
No. Local rates vary by city and county, from 6.25% (state only) up to about 8.25%. 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.