Chico Sales Tax Rate
9.25% combined in Chico, Butte County · California's #65 city by population
The sales tax rate in Chico is 9.25% as of October 13, 2026. That is the 7.25% statewide base plus 2.00% in local district taxes: 1.00% across Butte County and 1.00% from the city itself.
Chico Sales Tax Calculator
Sales tax at 9.25%
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Where the 9.25% comes from
Every California sale starts at the 7.25% statewide base. Butte County voters and agencies have added 1 district tax that applies in every city in the county, and Chico 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% |
| Butte County Transactions and Use Tax | Butte County | April 2025 | 1.00% |
| City of Chico Transactions and Use Tax | Chico only | April 2023 | 1.00% |
| Combined rate in Chico | 9.25% |
Sales tax on common purchases in Chico
| Price before tax | Tax at 9.25% | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $100.00 | $9.25 | $109.25 |
| $500.00 | $46.25 | $546.25 |
| $1,000.00 | $92.50 | $1,092.50 |
| $2,500.00 | $231.25 | $2,731.25 |
| $35,000.00 (car registered in Chico) | $3,237.50 | $38,237.50 |
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 Chico compares
Chico's 9.25% is the 38th-highest rate among California's 100 largest cities (shared with 5 others). Across the 5 cities in Butte County, rates run from 8.25% (Biggs, Gridley) to 9.25% (Chico, Oroville). Unincorporated areas pay 8.25%.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sales tax rate in Chico, California?
Chico's combined sales tax rate is 9.25% as of October 13, 2026: the 7.25% statewide base plus 2.00% in district taxes (1.00% countywide and 1.00% from the city).
Does Chico have its own city sales tax?
Yes. Chico adds 1.00% on top of the county rate through City of Chico Transactions and Use Tax (1.00%). That city portion applies only inside the city limits.
What is the sales tax on a car bought in Chico?
For a vehicle, the district tax follows the address where the car is registered, not where the dealer is. Registered at a Chico address, a car is taxed at 9.25%: $3,237.50 on a $35,000 purchase.
How does Chico's rate compare with the rest of Butte County?
Rates in Butte County's cities run from 8.25% to 9.25% (Chico, Oroville). Chico is at 9.25%. Unincorporated areas of the county pay 8.25%.
Is the rate the same at every address in Chico?
Almost always. CDTFA's rate applies across the city limits, but a mailing address can say Chico 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.