Bakersfield Sales Tax Rate
8.25% combined in Bakersfield, Kern County · California's #9 city by population
The sales tax rate in Bakersfield is 8.25% as of October 13, 2026. That is the 7.25% statewide base plus 1.00% in local district taxes.
Bakersfield Sales Tax Calculator
Sales tax at 8.25%
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Where the 8.25% comes from
Every California sale starts at the 7.25% statewide base. Kern County voters and agencies have added 0 district taxes that apply in every city in the county, and Bakersfield adds 1 of its own. Each line below is from CDTFA's district tax list.
| Tax | Applies in | In effect since | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| State sales and use tax | All of California | — | 6.00% |
| Local sales tax (Bradley-Burns): 1% for city or county operations, 0.25% for county transportation | All of California | — | 1.25% |
| City of Bakersfield Safety/Vital City Services and Use Tax | Bakersfield only | April 2019 | 1.00% |
| Combined rate in Bakersfield | 8.25% |
Kern County Unincorporated Area Public Safety, Vital Services, and Local Control Transactions and Use Tax (1.00%) applies only in unincorporated Kern County, so it is not part of Bakersfield's rate.
Sales tax on common purchases in Bakersfield
| Price before tax | Tax at 8.25% | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $100.00 | $8.25 | $108.25 |
| $500.00 | $41.25 | $541.25 |
| $1,000.00 | $82.50 | $1,082.50 |
| $2,500.00 | $206.25 | $2,706.25 |
| $35,000.00 (car registered in Bakersfield) | $2,887.50 | $37,887.50 |
Groceries (most food for home consumption) and prescription medicine are exempt from California sales tax, so these rates apply to taxable goods such as clothing, electronics, furniture, restaurant meals and vehicles.
How Bakersfield compares
Bakersfield's 8.25% is the 73rd-highest rate among California's 100 largest cities (shared with 5 others). Across the 11 cities in Kern County, rates run from 7.25% (Shafter) to 9.25% (McFarland, Ridgecrest). Unincorporated areas pay 8.25%.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sales tax rate in Bakersfield, California?
Bakersfield's combined sales tax rate is 8.25% as of October 13, 2026: the 7.25% statewide base plus 1.00% in district taxes.
Does Bakersfield have its own city sales tax?
Yes. Bakersfield adds 1.00% on top of the county rate through City of Bakersfield Safety/Vital City Services and Use Tax (1.00%). That city portion applies only inside the city limits.
What is the sales tax on a car bought in Bakersfield?
For a vehicle, the district tax follows the address where the car is registered, not where the dealer is. Registered at a Bakersfield address, a car is taxed at 8.25%: $2,887.50 on a $35,000 purchase.
How does Bakersfield's rate compare with the rest of Kern County?
Rates in Kern County's cities run from 7.25% to 9.25% (McFarland, Ridgecrest). Bakersfield is at 8.25%. Unincorporated areas of the county pay 8.25%.
Is the rate the same at every address in Bakersfield?
Almost always. CDTFA's rate applies across the city limits, but a mailing address can say Bakersfield while the property sits in an unincorporated area or a neighboring city. Check a specific address with CDTFA's online rate lookup.
Sources
- CDTFA California City & County Sales & Use Tax Rates (combined rate for each quarter)
- CDTFA-105, District Taxes, Rates, and Effective Dates and Explanation of Tax Rate Changes (each district tax)
- CDTFA rate lookup by address
Educational information only. Rates are copied from CDTFA's published tables and change on the first day of a calendar quarter when new district taxes start or old ones end. Confirm the rate for a specific address with CDTFA before filing a return.