Taxes

California vs Maine: State Sales Tax

Maine has a lower state sales tax rate than California.

California flag
California
CA · West
7.25%
State-level sales tax rate. 0% = no state sales tax (local taxes may apply).
Maine flag
Maine
ME · Northeast
Winner
5.50%
State-level sales tax rate. 0% = no state sales tax (local taxes may apply).

Visual comparison

California7.25%
Maine5.50%

Difference: 1.75 percentage points — Maine leads.

National Rankings

Where They Rank Nationally

See where both states fall among all 50 states for state sales tax.

California #50 · 7.25%
Maine #22 · 5.50%
Best Worst

10 Best States — State Sales Tax

Lower is better
#1 Alaska flag Alaska
None (0%)
#2 Delaware flag Delaware
None (0%)
#3 Montana flag Montana
None (0%)
#4 New Hampshire flag New Hampshire
None (0%)
#5 Oregon flag Oregon
None (0%)
#6 Colorado flag Colorado
2.90%
#7 Alabama flag Alabama
4.00%
#8 Georgia flag Georgia
4.00%
#9 Hawaii flag Hawaii
4.00%
#10 New York flag New York
4.00%
Selected states
#50 California flag California
7.25%
#22 Maine flag Maine
5.50%

California ranks 50th and Maine ranks 22nd nationally for state sales tax.

Related context

Tax Burden Picture

Sales tax is paid by nearly everyone — higher rates hit lower-income households proportionally harder.

What this means

California vs Maine: State Sales Tax in context

Maine's state sales tax is 5.50%, compared with 7.25% in California. State-level sales tax rate. 0% = no state sales tax (local taxes may apply).

California
7.25%
Maine
5.50%
Difference
1.75 percentage points

People also ask

California vs Maine State Sales Tax — common questions

QWhat is California's state sales tax?

California's state sales tax is 7.25%.

QWhat is Maine's state sales tax?

Maine's state sales tax is 5.50%.

QWhich state has a lower state sales tax — California or Maine?

Maine has a lower state sales tax rate than California.

More comparisons: California vs Maine

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Full comparison

Data source and freshness

Data period
2026 comparison
Dataset reviewed
July 23, 2026
Method note
Statewide base sales tax rate; local additions and taxable bases differ.