What Is the Sales Tax Rate in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania charges a 6% state sales tax on most purchases, and for the majority of the state, that's the entire rate you pay. Two places break that pattern. Philadelphia adds its own local tax, pushing the combined rate to about 8%. Allegheny County, home to Pittsburgh, adds a smaller local tax that brings its combined rate to roughly 7%. Everywhere else generally stays at the 6% base.
USACalculator built this Pennsylvania version because most shoppers only need one of three numbers: the statewide 6%, Philadelphia's roughly 8%, or Allegheny County's roughly 7%. Pick your area below and the calculator applies the right combined rate automatically.
Using the Calculator
Pennsylvania is preselected in the dropdown with the statewide average combined rate. Enter the price of what you're buying, or swap in the exact rate for Philadelphia or Allegheny County if that applies to you, and the total updates immediately. Planning a bigger purchase, like a vehicle? Check our Pennsylvania Car Loan Calculator to see how tax fits into the full cost of financing.
How the Calculation Works
The formula is simple: multiply your purchase price by the combined tax rate to get the tax owed, then add that to the original price for your total. Pennsylvania sales tax is based on where the sale takes place, which is why a purchase made in Philadelphia carries a different total than the identical purchase made an hour away in a county with no local add-on.
Pennsylvania-Specific Sales Tax Information
State Sales Tax
The base rate is 6% statewide, set by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue and applied to most tangible goods and some services.
Philadelphia's Local Rate
Philadelphia adds its own local sales tax on top of the 6% state rate, bringing the combined total to roughly 8%. That extra local revenue helps fund city services and is one of the more noticeable local add-ons anywhere in the state.
Allegheny County's Local Rate
Allegheny County, which includes Pittsburgh, adds a smaller local tax that brings its combined rate to roughly 7%. It sits between the statewide base and Philadelphia's higher combined rate.
The Rest of Pennsylvania
Outside those two areas, most Pennsylvania municipalities charge only the 6% base rate with no additional local sales tax layered on top, which keeps the math simpler for the large majority of the state.
Tax Exemptions
Most unprepared grocery food is exempt from Pennsylvania sales tax, along with prescription drugs and many over-the-counter medications. Notably, most everyday clothing and footwear is also exempt, a difference from many other states that tax clothing year-round regardless of price.
Example Calculation
Say you're buying a $250 item in Philadelphia, where the combined rate sits at roughly 8%. The math looks like this:
| Item | Amount |
| Purchase Price | $250.00 |
| Sales Tax (~8%) | $20.00 |
| Total Price | $270.00 |
Buy the same item somewhere outside Philadelphia or Allegheny County, and the total drops to reflect the 6% base rate, which comes out closer to $265.00 once the lower rate is applied.
Why Pennsylvania Residents Use This Calculator
Shoppers use it to check a receipt against what they expected to pay, especially when crossing between Philadelphia and a lower-rate county. Small business owners use it to quote accurate out-the-door prices to customers in different parts of the state. People budgeting a bigger purchase run the numbers here first, then move on to our Mortgage Calculator or Pennsylvania Paycheck Calculator to see how it fits into the rest of their monthly budget.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming the whole state pays Philadelphia's roughly 8% rate. Most of Pennsylvania charges only the 6% base.
- Forgetting that Allegheny County's rate sits between the statewide base and Philadelphia's higher combined rate, not equal to either.
- Treating grocery exemptions as covering restaurant meals or prepared hot food, which usually stay taxable.
- Assuming clothing is always taxed the way it is in most other states, when in Pennsylvania it's generally exempt.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pennsylvania sales tax rate?
The statewide base is 6%. Philadelphia's combined rate runs about 8%, and Allegheny County's runs about 7%. Most of the rest of the state stays at 6%.
Does Pennsylvania tax groceries?
No. Most unprepared grocery food is exempt. Prepared food and restaurant meals are generally still taxed.
Why is Philadelphia's sales tax higher than the rest of Pennsylvania?
Philadelphia adds its own local sales tax on top of the state's 6% base, bringing its combined rate to roughly 8%.
Is clothing taxed in Pennsylvania?
Most everyday clothing and footwear is exempt, which is different from many states that tax clothing year-round.
Are prescription drugs taxed in Pennsylvania?
No. Prescription and many over-the-counter drugs are exempt from Pennsylvania sales tax.
Does Pennsylvania charge sales tax on online purchases?
Yes, when the seller meets the state's economic nexus threshold, the same tax applies as it would in a physical store.
Why does Allegheny County have a different rate than the rest of Pennsylvania?
Allegheny County adds its own local tax on top of the 6% state rate, bringing its combined total to roughly 7%.
How is Pennsylvania sales tax calculated on a car purchase?
Vehicles generally use the same 6% state rate, with Philadelphia and Allegheny County add-ons applying the same way as other taxable purchases.
Does most of Pennsylvania pay just the 6% base rate?
Yes. Outside Philadelphia and Allegheny County, most municipalities charge only the statewide 6% rate with no local add-on.
How does Pennsylvania sales tax compare to neighboring states?
The 6% base rate is generally in line with or lower than many neighboring states, and limited local add-ons keep most of the state simple to calculate.
Related Calculators
Pair this with the Pennsylvania Paycheck Calculator to see your full take-home picture, or the Car Loan Calculator when a vehicle purchase is on the table. Explore more free tools at USACalculator.
Sources: Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. Figures reviewed for 2026. This calculator provides an estimate for planning purposes and is not tax advice — confirm exact rates for your address with the Department of Revenue.