Washington sales tax at a glance
Washington's typical combined rate of 9.57% ranks 3rd highest among the 50 states. Seattle-area combined rates run above 10%; Washington has no income tax and leans heavily on sales tax.
What sales tax adds at the register
At the average combined rate of 9.57%:
| Price | Sales tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $25 | $2.39 | $27.39 |
| $100 | $9.57 | $109.57 |
| $500 | $47.85 | $547.85 |
| $2,000 | $191.40 | $2,191.40 |
Washington vs. the national average and its neighbors
The average combined state-and-local sales tax across the 50 states is about 6.66%. Washington's 9.57% is 2.91 points above that — on a $30,000 car, about $873 more than the national average buyer pays. Combined with no state income tax, that shapes how Washington funds itself — see the Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 9.57% | $23.93 | $2,871 |
| Oregon | 0% | $0.00 | $0 |
| Idaho | 6.03% | $15.08 | $1,809 |
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 Washington receipt
A Washington 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 0.0957 (the 9.57% average) — if the tax line is meaningfully higher, you're in a locality above the average, up to 10.7%; 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 Washington in 2026?
Washington's state sales tax is 6.5%. Cities, counties and districts add local taxes averaging 3.07% (population-weighted), for a typical combined rate of 9.57% — and up to 10.7% in the highest-tax localities. Seattle-area combined rates run above 10%; Washington has no income tax and leans heavily on sales tax.
+How do I calculate Washington sales tax backwards from a total?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate as a decimal. At 9.57%, a $109.57 total means a $100.00 price and $9.57 tax. Choose "Total after tax (reverse)" above to do it automatically.
+Do online orders charge Washington sales tax?
Yes. Since the Wayfair decision, large online sellers must collect Washington 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 Washington?
About $2,871 at the 9.57% average combined rate ($1,950 at the 6.5% 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 Washington's sales tax compare nationally?
Washington's 9.57% average combined rate ranks 3rd highest of the 50 states, versus a national average of about 6.66%.
+Is the rate the same everywhere in Washington?
No. Local rates vary by city and county, from 6.5% (state only) up to about 10.7%. 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.