Wake County · North Carolina
Raleigh, NC sales tax rate
Wake County matched Mecklenburg's transit half-cent in 2017, so Raleigh and Charlotte now charge the same combined rate.
Quick answer
The combined sales tax rate in Raleigh, NC is 7.25% as of January 1, 2026 — 4.75% state + 2% county + 0.5% special district. On a $100 purchase that is $7.25 in tax, for a total of $107.25. North Carolina's statewide base is 4.75%.
- Combined rate
- 7.25%
- State share
- 4.75%
- Local share
- 2.5%County + city + districts
- Tax on $100
- $7.25
Calculate Raleigh sales tax
Pre-filled with the Raleigh combined rate.
Sales tax calculator
The full combined rate of 7.25% applies to general merchandise.
Enter a pre-tax amount to see the tax due in Raleigh, NC.
- Pre-tax
- $100
- Sales tax at 7.25%
- $7.25
- Total
- $107.25
Tax is rounded to the nearest cent on the full transaction, which is how most registers compute it. Line-item rounding can differ by a cent or two on long receipts.
Jurisdiction breakdown
Every layer that makes up the combined rate, and how much of the total each one contributes.
| Jurisdiction | Level | Rate | Share of total |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina state | state | 4.75% | 66% |
| Wake County | county | 2% | 28% |
| Wake transit tax | special district | 0.5% | 7% |
| Combined rate | 7.25% |
Raleigh sales tax reference table
Tax due at 7.25% on common purchase amounts.
| Purchase | Sales tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $10 | $0.73 | $10.73 |
| $25 | $1.81 | $26.81 |
| $50 | $3.63 | $53.63 |
| $100 | $7.25 | $107.25 |
| $500 | $36.25 | $536.25 |
| $1,000 | $72.50 | $1072.50 |
| $5,000 | $362.50 | $5362.50 |
| $25,000 | $1812.50 | $26812.50 |
Reverse out sales tax
Enter a receipt total and we split the item price from the 7.25% tax collected.
Backing out 7.25% for Raleigh, NC.
- Item price before tax
- $100
- Sales tax collected
- $7.25
What this rate applies to
North Carolina publishes the taxable base separately from the rate. Groceries, prescription drugs, clothing and services are treated differently state to state, and several categories in North Carolina are taxed at reduced rates or exempt entirely. Wake County matched Mecklenburg's transit half-cent in 2017, so Raleigh and Charlotte now charge the same combined rate. Check the North Carolina Department of Revenue guidance for the category you are pricing before assuming 7.25% applies.
Raleigh at a glance
- Population
- 482,295
- Median household income
- $87,263
- County
- Wake County
- ZIP codes covered
- 12
Compare with other North Carolina cities
Other covered North Carolina metros and how they compare.
Neighboring districts tax profiles
The closest covered jurisdictions by county and ZIP sectional centre, with the rate difference against this metro.
Compare Raleigh with another metro
Side-by-side rate stacks and the dollar difference on a $1,000 purchase.
Cities near Raleigh
Straight-line distance, estimated drive time and the rate charged there.
Download this metro's data
The Raleigh jurisdiction stack, combined rate (7.25%), effective date and Census figures are published as open files. Free to use with attribution — no key, no signup.