Virginia sales tax at a glance
Virginia's typical combined rate of 5.77% ranks 41th highest among the 50 states. Virginia's state rate includes a mandatory 1% statewide local add-on; groceries are taxed at a reduced rate.
What sales tax adds at the register
At the average combined rate of 5.77%:
| Price | Sales tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $25 | $1.44 | $26.44 |
| $100 | $5.77 | $105.77 |
| $500 | $28.85 | $528.85 |
| $2,000 | $115.40 | $2,115.40 |
Virginia vs. the national average and its neighbors
The average combined state-and-local sales tax across the 50 states is about 6.66%. Virginia's 5.77% is 0.89 points below that — on a $30,000 car, about $267 less than the national average buyer pays. Combined with a graduated income tax topping out at 5.75%, that shapes how Virginia funds itself — see the Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 5.77% | $14.43 | $1,731 |
| Maryland | 6% | $15.00 | $1,800 |
| Washington, D.C. | 6% | $15.00 | $1,800 |
| Kentucky | 6% | $15.00 | $1,800 |
| West Virginia | 6.6% | $16.50 | $1,980 |
| North Carolina | 7.1% | $17.75 | $2,130 |
| Tennessee | 9.61% | $24.03 | $2,883 |
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 Virginia receipt
A Virginia 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 0.0577 (the 5.77% 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 Virginia in 2026?
Virginia's state sales tax is 5.3%. Cities, counties and districts add local taxes averaging 0.47% (population-weighted), for a typical combined rate of 5.77% — and up to 8% in the highest-tax localities. Virginia's state rate includes a mandatory 1% statewide local add-on; groceries are taxed at a reduced rate.
+How do I calculate Virginia sales tax backwards from a total?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate as a decimal. At 5.77%, a $105.77 total means a $100.00 price and $5.77 tax. Choose "Total after tax (reverse)" above to do it automatically.
+Do online orders charge Virginia sales tax?
Yes. Since the Wayfair decision, large online sellers must collect Virginia 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 Virginia?
About $1,731 at the 5.77% average combined rate ($1,590 at the 5.3% 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 Virginia's sales tax compare nationally?
Virginia's 5.77% average combined rate ranks 41th highest of the 50 states, versus a national average of about 6.66%.
+Is the rate the same everywhere in Virginia?
No. Local rates vary by city and county, from 5.3% (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.