Santa Ana Sales Tax Rate
9.25% combined in Santa Ana, Orange County · California's #14 city by population
The sales tax rate in Santa Ana 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 Orange County and 1.50% from the city itself.
Santa Ana 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. Orange County voters and agencies have added 1 district tax that applies in every city in the county, and Santa Ana 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% |
| Orange County Local Transportation Authority | Orange County | April 1991 | 0.50% |
| City of Santa Ana Transactions and Use Tax | Santa Ana only | April 2019 | 1.50% |
| Combined rate in Santa Ana | 9.25% |
Sales tax on common purchases in Santa Ana
| 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 Santa Ana) | $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 Santa Ana compares
Santa Ana's 9.25% is the 38th-highest rate among California's 100 largest cities (shared with 5 others). Across the 34 cities in Orange County, rates run from 7.75% (Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Brea and 20 more) to 9.25% (Los Alamitos, Santa Ana, Seal Beach and 1 more). Unincorporated areas pay 7.75%.
| Other large cities in Orange County | Rate |
|---|---|
| Anaheim | 7.75% |
| Irvine | 7.75% |
| Huntington Beach | 7.75% |
| Garden Grove | 8.75% |
| Orange | 7.75% |
| Fullerton | 7.75% |
| Costa Mesa | 7.75% |
| Westminster | 9.25% |
| Mission Viejo | 7.75% |
| Lake Forest | 7.75% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sales tax rate in Santa Ana, California?
Santa Ana's 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 Santa Ana have its own city sales tax?
Yes. Santa Ana adds 1.50% on top of the county rate through City of Santa Ana Transactions and Use Tax (1.50%). That city portion applies only inside the city limits.
What is the sales tax on a car bought in Santa Ana?
For a vehicle, the district tax follows the address where the car is registered, not where the dealer is. Registered at a Santa Ana address, a car is taxed at 9.25%: $3,237.50 on a $35,000 purchase.
How does Santa Ana's rate compare with the rest of Orange County?
Rates in Orange County's cities run from 7.75% to 9.25% (Los Alamitos, Santa Ana, Seal Beach and others). Santa Ana is at 9.25%. Unincorporated areas of the county pay 7.75%.
Is the rate the same at every address in Santa Ana?
Almost always. CDTFA's rate applies across the city limits, but a mailing address can say Santa Ana 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.