Salinas Sales Tax Rate
9.25% combined in Salinas, Monterey County · California's #36 city by population
The sales tax rate in Salinas is 9.25% as of October 13, 2026. That is the 7.25% statewide base plus 2.00% in local district taxes: 0.50% across Monterey County and 1.50% from the city itself.
Salinas 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. Monterey County voters and agencies have added 2 district taxes that apply in every city in the county, and Salinas adds 2 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% |
| Monterey-Salinas MST Special Transit District | Monterey County | April 2015 | 0.125% |
| Monterey Transportation Safety Transactions and Use Tax | Monterey County | April 2017 | 0.375% |
| City of Salinas Measure G Transactions and Use Tax | Salinas only | April 2015 | 1.00% |
| City of Salinas Temporary Transactions and Use Tax | Salinas only | April 2006 | 0.50% |
| Combined rate in Salinas | 9.25% |
Monterey County Unincorporated Area Transactions and Use Tax (1.00%) applies only in unincorporated Monterey County, so it is not part of Salinas' rate.
Sales tax on common purchases in Salinas
| 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 Salinas) | $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 Salinas compares
Salinas' 9.25% is the 38th-highest rate among California's 100 largest cities (shared with 5 others). Across the 12 cities in Monterey County, rates run from 8.75% (Gonzales, King City) to 9.50% (Greenfield). Unincorporated areas pay 8.75%.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sales tax rate in Salinas, California?
Salinas' combined sales tax rate is 9.25% as of October 13, 2026: the 7.25% statewide base plus 2.00% in district taxes (0.50% countywide and 1.50% from the city).
Does Salinas have its own city sales tax?
Yes. Salinas adds 1.50% on top of the county rate through City of Salinas Measure G Transactions and Use Tax (1.00%) and City of Salinas Temporary Transactions and Use Tax (0.50%). That city portion applies only inside the city limits.
What is the sales tax on a car bought in Salinas?
For a vehicle, the district tax follows the address where the car is registered, not where the dealer is. Registered at a Salinas address, a car is taxed at 9.25%: $3,237.50 on a $35,000 purchase.
How does Salinas' rate compare with the rest of Monterey County?
Rates in Monterey County's cities run from 8.75% to 9.50% (Greenfield). Salinas is at 9.25%. Unincorporated areas of the county pay 8.75%.
Is the rate the same at every address in Salinas?
Almost always. CDTFA's rate applies across the city limits, but a mailing address can say Salinas 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.