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Tax Foundation · Jul 6, 2026

Sales tax in North Carolina

7.10% on average: a state rate of 4.75% plus an average local rate of 2.35%, as of July 1, 2026 (Tax Foundation). On a $1,000 purchase that is about $71 (our calculation). The rate where you shop can differ.

Sales tax
7.10%
combined state and average local rate
State rate
4.75%
Average local rate
2.35%
Rank
30 of 51
1 = lowest
StateSales taxRank
Mississippi7.06%28
North Dakota7.09%29
North Carolina7.10%30
Ohio7.29%31
Utah7.42%32

Source: Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, Midyear 2026 (Jul 6, 2026). Rates as of July 1, 2026 (published July 6, 2026, by Abir Mandal). Values are percents. Average local rate is population-weighted. 'rank' is the combined-rate rank among the 50 states (ties share a rank); DC is not ranked (Tax Foundation shows a hypothetical rank of 38), so its rank is null. California (1.25%), Utah (1.25%) and Virginia (1%) levy mandatory statewide local add-ons, which are included in the state rate. Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon have no statewide sales tax; only Alaska allows local sales taxes (avg 1.82%, max local 7.85%). New Jersey's local rate is negative (-0.02%) because Salem County is exempt from the statewide rate and collects a lower local rate of 3.3125%. Special taxes in local resort areas are not counted. Hawaii, New Mexico and South Dakota have broad bases that include many business-to-business services. Combined rates may differ from state+local by 0.01 due to rounding. Sources cited by Tax Foundation: Sales Tax Clearinghouse, Tax Foundation calculations, state revenue department websites.

Common questions

What is the sales tax in North Carolina?

7.10% on average: a state rate of 4.75% plus an average local rate of 2.35%, as of July 1, 2026 (Tax Foundation). On a $1,000 purchase that is about $71 (our calculation). The rate where you shop can differ.

Is sales tax in North Carolina high?

North Carolina ranks 30 of 51 for the combined rate (1 = lowest).

Sales tax adds to a car purchase: try the car loan calculator.

More for North Carolina: monthly budget · take-home pay · rent.

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