Taxes

California vs Massachusetts: State Sales Tax

Massachusetts 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).
Massachusetts flag
Massachusetts
MA · Northeast
Winner
6.25%
State-level sales tax rate. 0% = no state sales tax (local taxes may apply).

Visual comparison

California7.25%
Massachusetts6.25%

Difference: 1.00 percentage points — Massachusetts leads.

National Rankings

Where They Rank Nationally

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

California #50 · 7.25%
Massachusetts #37 · 6.25%
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%
#37 Massachusetts flag Massachusetts
6.25%

California ranks 50th and Massachusetts ranks 37th 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.

MetricCaliforniaMassachusetts
State Income Tax 13.30% 5.00% Property Tax Rate 0.70% 1.07% Cost of Living Index 138.5 148.8 Median Household Income $84,097 $96,505

What this means

California vs Massachusetts: State Sales Tax in context

Massachusetts's state sales tax is 6.25%, compared with 7.25% in California. State-level sales tax rate. 0% = no state sales tax (local taxes may apply).

California
7.25%
Massachusetts
6.25%
Difference
1.00 percentage points

People also ask

California vs Massachusetts State Sales Tax — common questions

QWhat is California's state sales tax?

California's state sales tax is 7.25%.

QWhat is Massachusetts's state sales tax?

Massachusetts's state sales tax is 6.25%.

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

Massachusetts has a lower state sales tax rate than California.

More comparisons: California vs Massachusetts

Grouped tabs keep the deep-dive links tighter and easier to scan.

Full comparison
State Income Tax Property Tax Total Tax Burden Grocery Tax Rate Estate and Inheritance Tax Annual Vehicle Property Tax

Explore each state

California symbols Massachusetts symbols Compare other states

Data source and freshness

Primary source
Tax Foundation — State and Local Sales Tax Rates
Data period
2026 comparison
Dataset reviewed
July 23, 2026
Method note
Statewide base sales tax rate; local additions and taxable bases differ.