Sales Tax by City

San Jose, California Sales Tax Calculator

The combined sales tax rate in San Jose, California is 9.375%. Santa Clara County adds 1.875% in district taxes including the VTA transit tax, on top of the 7.25% CA base.

Purchase amount

StateOverride with a specific city or county local rate

Total with tax

$108.85

Combined rate 8.850%

Purchase amount$100.00

State tax (7.250%)$7.25

Local tax (1.600%)$1.60

Total tax$8.85

California notes: Highest state base rate in the US. Groceries are exempt. Statewide average combined rate: 8.85%. Max local rate: 3.25%. Groceries: exempt from state tax.

Sales tax in San Jose

The 9.375% you pay at a San Jose register is made up of 7.25% state tax plus roughly 2.125% in local taxes — a combination of county, city, and special-district levies. Santa Clara County adds 1.875% in district taxes including the VTA transit tax, on top of the 7.25% CA base.

That's higher than the California average of 8.85%. Most large California cities run above the state average because urban areas tend to layer transit taxes, special improvement districts, and arena/stadium taxes on top of the state and county base.

California exempts unprepared groceries from sales tax. Restaurant meals and prepared food are taxable at the full combined rate.

For exact tax on a transaction at a specific San Jose address, use the California Department of Revenue's lookup or a tool like Avalara. Rates can vary block-by-block when special tax districts cover part of the city.

San Jose rate breakdown: Combined rate 9.375% = CA state 7.25% + local 2.125% (county + city + transit + special districts).

Frequently asked questions

What is the sales tax rate in San Jose, California?

The combined sales tax rate in San Jose is 9.375%. That includes the California state portion plus county, city, and any applicable special-district taxes.

How is the San Jose sales tax broken down?

San Jose's 9.375% combined rate is made up of: 7.25% state, plus local additions including county, city, and any transit or special-district taxes. See the breakdown in the calculator above for any purchase amount.

What is the sales tax on a $100 purchase in San Jose?

At a combined rate of 9.375%, sales tax on $100 in San Jose is $9.38, bringing the total to $109.38.

Are groceries taxed in San Jose?

California exempts unprepared groceries from sales tax — they're not taxed in San Jose either. Restaurant meals and prepared food are taxed at the full 9.375% rate.

Is the sales tax in San Jose higher than surrounding cities?

Yes — San Jose's combined rate of 9.375% is above the California statewide average of 8.85%. Suburbs and smaller cities in the same state often pay lower combined rates.

Other cities in California

Los Angeles

Combined 9.500%

Open calculator →

San Diego

Combined 7.750%

Open calculator →

San Francisco

Combined 8.625%

Open calculator →

Related calculators

California Sales Tax (statewide)

State-level rates and rules for all of California.

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All-State Sales Tax Calculator

Combined rates for all 50 states + DC.

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Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, accounting, or legal advice. Tax rates, regulations, and economic data change frequently. Consult a qualified accountant or tax professional for advice specific to your situation.