San Mateo Sales Tax Rate
9.625% combined in San Mateo, San Mateo County · California's #72 city by population
The sales tax rate in San Mateo is 9.625% as of October 13, 2026. That is the 7.25% statewide base plus 2.375% in local district taxes: 2.125% across San Mateo County and 0.25% from the city itself.
San Mateo Sales Tax Calculator
Sales tax at 9.625%
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Where the 9.625% comes from
Every California sale starts at the 7.25% statewide base. San Mateo County voters and agencies have added 5 district taxes that apply in every city in the county, and San Mateo 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% |
| 2020 Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board Retail Transactions and Use Tax | San Mateo County | July 2021 | 0.125% |
| San Mateo County Retail Transactions and Use Tax | San Mateo County | April 2013 | 0.50% |
| San Mateo County Transit District | San Mateo County | July 1982 | 0.50% |
| San Mateo County 2018 Transit District | San Mateo County | July 2019 | 0.50% |
| San Mateo County Transportation Authority | San Mateo County | January 1989 | 0.50% |
| City of San Mateo Transactions and Use Tax | San Mateo only | April 2010 | 0.25% |
| Combined rate in San Mateo | 9.625% |
Sales tax on common purchases in San Mateo
| Price before tax | Tax at 9.625% | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $100.00 | $9.63 | $109.63 |
| $500.00 | $48.13 | $548.13 |
| $1,000.00 | $96.25 | $1,096.25 |
| $2,500.00 | $240.63 | $2,740.63 |
| $35,000.00 (car registered in San Mateo) | $3,368.75 | $38,368.75 |
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 San Mateo compares
San Mateo's 9.625% is the 37th-highest rate among California's 100 largest cities. Across the 20 cities in San Mateo County, rates run from 9.375% (Atherton, Foster City, Hillsborough and 5 more) to 9.875% (Belmont, Brisbane, Colma and 7 more). Unincorporated areas pay 9.375%.
| Other large cities in San Mateo County | Rate |
|---|---|
| Daly City | 9.875% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sales tax rate in San Mateo, California?
San Mateo's combined sales tax rate is 9.625% as of October 13, 2026: the 7.25% statewide base plus 2.375% in district taxes (2.125% countywide and 0.25% from the city).
Does San Mateo have its own city sales tax?
Yes. San Mateo adds 0.25% on top of the county rate through City of San Mateo Transactions and Use Tax (0.25%). That city portion applies only inside the city limits.
What is the sales tax on a car bought in San Mateo?
For a vehicle, the district tax follows the address where the car is registered, not where the dealer is. Registered at a San Mateo address, a car is taxed at 9.625%: $3,368.75 on a $35,000 purchase.
How does San Mateo's rate compare with the rest of San Mateo County?
Rates in San Mateo County's cities run from 9.375% to 9.875% (Belmont, Brisbane, Colma and others). San Mateo is at 9.625%. Unincorporated areas of the county pay 9.375%.
Is the rate the same at every address in San Mateo?
Almost always. CDTFA's rate applies across the city limits, but a mailing address can say San Mateo 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.