Harris County · Texas
Houston, TX sales tax rate
Texas caps combined local rates at 2%, and Houston uses all of it — 1% city plus 1% METRO — so no additional district can be layered on.
Quick answer
The combined sales tax rate in Houston, TX is 8.25% as of January 1, 2026 — 6.25% state + 1% city + 1% special district. On a $100 purchase that is $8.25 in tax, for a total of $108.25. Texas's statewide base is 6.25%.
- Combined rate
- 8.25%
- State share
- 6.25%
- Local share
- 2%County + city + districts
- Tax on $100
- $8.25
Calculate Houston sales tax
Pre-filled with the Houston combined rate.
Sales tax calculator
The full combined rate of 8.25% applies to general merchandise.
Enter a pre-tax amount to see the tax due in Houston, TX.
- Pre-tax
- $100
- Sales tax at 8.25%
- $8.25
- Total
- $108.25
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas state | state | 6.25% | 76% |
| City of Houston | city | 1% | 12% |
| Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County | special district | 1% | 12% |
| Combined rate | 8.25% |
Houston sales tax reference table
Tax due at 8.25% on common purchase amounts.
| Purchase | Sales tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $10 | $0.83 | $10.83 |
| $25 | $2.06 | $27.06 |
| $50 | $4.13 | $54.13 |
| $100 | $8.25 | $108.25 |
| $500 | $41.25 | $541.25 |
| $1,000 | $82.50 | $1082.50 |
| $5,000 | $412.50 | $5412.50 |
| $25,000 | $2062.50 | $27062.50 |
Reverse out sales tax
Enter a receipt total and we split the item price from the 8.25% tax collected.
Backing out 8.25% for Houston, TX.
- Item price before tax
- $100
- Sales tax collected
- $8.25
What this rate applies to
Texas publishes the taxable base separately from the rate. Groceries, prescription drugs, clothing and services are treated differently state to state, and several categories in Texas are taxed at reduced rates or exempt entirely. Texas caps combined local rates at 2%, and Houston uses all of it — 1% city plus 1% METRO — so no additional district can be layered on. Check the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts guidance for the category you are pricing before assuming 8.25% applies.
Houston at a glance
- Population
- 2,314,157
- Median household income
- $62,894
- County
- Harris County
- ZIP codes covered
- 12
Compare with other Texas cities
Other covered Texas 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 Houston with another metro
Side-by-side rate stacks and the dollar difference on a $1,000 purchase.
Cities near Houston
Straight-line distance, estimated drive time and the rate charged there.
Download this metro's data
The Houston jurisdiction stack, combined rate (8.25%), effective date and Census figures are published as open files. Free to use with attribution — no key, no signup.