Santa Monica Sales Tax Rate
11.25% combined in Santa Monica, Los Angeles County · California's #85 city by population
The sales tax rate in Santa Monica is 11.25% as of October 13, 2026. That is the 7.25% statewide base plus 4.00% in local district taxes: 3.00% across Los Angeles County and 1.00% from the city itself. The rate changed from 10.75% on October 1, 2026.
Rate change on October 1, 2026: 10.75% → 11.25%
Until September 30, 2026, sales in Santa Monica were taxed at 10.75%. Since October 1, 2026, CDTFA's rate is 11.25%, an increase of 0.50%. CDTFA's explanation:
- Measure ER, approved by voters in the June 2, 2026 election, added a new 0.5% countywide tax.
Santa Monica Sales Tax Calculator
Sales tax at 11.25%
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Where the 11.25% comes from
Every California sale starts at the 7.25% statewide base. Los Angeles County voters and agencies have added 6 district taxes that apply in every city in the county, and Santa Monica 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% |
| Los Angeles County Affordable Housing, Homelessness Solutions, and Prevention Now Transactions and Use Tax | Los Angeles County | April 2025 | 0.50% |
| Los Angeles County Metro Transportation Authority | Los Angeles County | July 2009 | 0.50% |
| Los Angeles County Traffic Improvement Plan | Los Angeles County | July 2017 | 0.50% |
| Los Angeles County Transportation Commission | Los Angeles County | July 1982 | 0.50% |
| Los Angeles County Transportation Commission | Los Angeles County | April 1991 | 0.50% |
| Los Angeles County Measure ER Transactions and Use Tax | Los Angeles County | October 2026 | 0.50% |
| City of Santa Monica Transactions and Use Tax | Santa Monica only | April 2017 | 1.00% |
| Combined rate in Santa Monica | 11.25% |
Taxes that ended recently: Los Angeles County Measure H (0.25%) ended March 31, 2025.
Sales tax on common purchases in Santa Monica
| Price before tax | Tax at 11.25% | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $100.00 | $11.25 | $111.25 |
| $500.00 | $56.25 | $556.25 |
| $1,000.00 | $112.50 | $1,112.50 |
| $2,500.00 | $281.25 | $2,781.25 |
| $35,000.00 (car registered in Santa Monica) | $3,937.50 | $38,937.50 |
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 Monica compares
Santa Monica's 11.25% is the 3rd-highest rate among California's 100 largest cities (shared with 2 others). Across the 88 cities in Los Angeles County, rates run from 10.25% (Agoura Hills, Bell, Beverly Hills and 22 more) to 11.75% (Lancaster, Palmdale). Unincorporated areas pay 10.25%.
| Other large cities in Los Angeles County | Rate |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 10.25% |
| Long Beach | 11.00% |
| Santa Clarita | 10.25% |
| Glendale | 11.00% |
| Lancaster | 11.75% |
| Palmdale | 11.75% |
| Pomona | 11.00% |
| Torrance | 10.75% |
| Pasadena | 11.00% |
| Downey | 11.00% |
| West Covina | 10.25% |
| El Monte | 11.00% |
| Burbank | 11.00% |
| Inglewood | 10.75% |
| Norwalk | 11.00% |
| Compton | 11.25% |
| South Gate | 11.25% |
| Carson | 11.00% |
| Whittier | 11.00% |
| Hawthorne | 11.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sales tax rate in Santa Monica, California?
Santa Monica's combined sales tax rate is 11.25% as of October 13, 2026: the 7.25% statewide base plus 4.00% in district taxes (3.00% countywide and 1.00% from the city). The rate changed from 10.75% on October 1, 2026.
Does Santa Monica have its own city sales tax?
Yes. Santa Monica adds 1.00% on top of the county rate through City of Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica?
For a vehicle, the district tax follows the address where the car is registered, not where the dealer is. Registered at a Santa Monica address, a car is taxed at 11.25%: $3,937.50 on a $35,000 purchase.
How does Santa Monica's rate compare with the rest of Los Angeles County?
Rates in Los Angeles County's cities run from 10.25% to 11.75% (Lancaster, Palmdale). Santa Monica is at 11.25%. Unincorporated areas of the county pay 10.25%.
Is the rate the same at every address in Santa Monica?
Almost always. CDTFA's rate applies across the city limits, but a mailing address can say Santa Monica 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.