Costa Mesa Sales Tax Calculator
The combined sales tax rate in Costa Mesa, California is 7.75% in 2026 — a 7.25% California state rate plus 0.5% in local add-ons. That is the 80th lowest rate of the 483 California cities we track, and it runs below California's 8.98% average. On a $100 purchase that's $7.75 in tax for a $107.75 total.
$100.00 total
Before tax: $100.00 · Sales tax: $0.00 (0%)
State & average combined rates: Tax Foundation 2026. Local rates vary by city/county — adjust the rate for an exact figure. How we calculate →
Costa Mesa sales tax rate in 2026
Costa Mesa charges a combined sales tax rate of 7.75%: the California statewide base of 7.25% plus 0.5% in city, county and district add-ons. Costa Mesa is in Orange County.
That local add-on is set by Costa Mesa and the taxing districts that overlap it, which is why neighboring cities in California can charge a different total even a few miles apart.
Costa Mesa vs the rest of California
At 7.75%, Costa Mesa runs below California's 8.98% statewide average combined rate by 1.23%. Among the 483 California cities we track by combined rate, Costa Mesa ranks the 80th lowest.
That makes Costa Mesa comparatively light on sales tax for California, though it's still well above zero.
Sales tax examples in Costa Mesa
At Costa Mesa's 7.75% combined rate:
$100 → $7.75 tax, $107.75 total · $1,000 → $77.50 tax, $1,077.50 total · $25,000 car purchase → $1,937 tax, $26,937 total.
Working backwards: a $1,080.00 receipt total in Costa Mesa means the pre-tax price was $1,002.32 and $77.68 was tax — use “Remove tax” mode above to reverse any total instantly.
A note on Costa Mesa's exact rate
The 7.75% rate applies within Costa Mesa's official city limits as published by CDTFA — Find a Sales and Use Tax Rate. Addresses with a Costa Mesa mailing address but outside the incorporated city line — a common situation on the edges of any city — can fall under a different, usually lower, rate.
For an address-exact rate, use the official lookup tool: CDTFA — Find a Sales and Use Tax Rate. This calculator pre-fills the published city-limits rate as a reliable starting point.
Costa Mesa sales tax — frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax rate in Costa Mesa, California?
Costa Mesa's combined sales tax rate is 7.75% in 2026 — 7.25% California state tax plus 0.5% in local add-ons. That's the 80th lowest rate of the 483 California cities we track.
How much is sales tax on $100 in Costa Mesa?
At Costa Mesa's 7.75% rate, sales tax on a $100 purchase is $7.75, for a $107.75 total.
How much sales tax will I pay on a $25,000 car in Costa Mesa?
At Costa Mesa's 7.75% combined rate, sales tax on a $25,000 vehicle purchase is about $1,937, for a $26,937 total before any trade-in credit or registration fees.
Is Costa Mesa's sales tax higher or lower than the California average?
Costa Mesa runs below California's 8.98% statewide average by 1.23%, ranking the 80th lowest of the 483 California cities we track.
How do I calculate sales tax backwards from a total in Costa Mesa?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate. A $1,080.00 total in Costa Mesa works back to a $1,002.32 pre-tax price and $77.68 of tax. Use “Remove tax” mode above to do this automatically.
Does Costa Mesa's sales tax rate apply everywhere in the Costa Mesa area?
The 7.75% rate applies within Costa Mesa's official city limits. Nearby addresses outside the incorporated boundary can be taxed at a different rate — check CDTFA — Find a Sales and Use Tax Rate for an address-exact figure.
Compare nearby cities in California
See all 483 California cities ranked by combined sales tax rate, or compare:
Researched & verified by the Calcuris Data & Research Team. How we build and check our tools →