Cincinnati, Ohio Sales Tax Rate
Buying in Cincinnati? Because it is located in Hamilton County, the combined sales tax rate is 7.80%. Below is the full breakdown and a calculator preset to Cincinnati's rate.
- Ohio state base5.75%
- Hamilton County & transit2.05%
- Total you pay7.80%
Cincinnati sits in Hamilton County, so its combined rate is 7.80% — Ohio's 5.75% state base plus 2.05% in Hamilton County and transit tax. Because Ohio sources sales tax to the delivery destination, anything shipped to Cincinnati is taxed at 7.80%, and in-store purchases use the same rate — so a $50.00 taxable item runs $53.90 out the door. Unprepared groceries and prescription drugs are exempt statewide, so they stay untaxed in Cincinnati no matter the local rate.
Calculate tax in Cincinnati
Cincinnati sales tax by purchase amount
| Purchase | Sales Tax (7.80%) | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $1.00 | $0.08 | $1.08 |
| $5.00 | $0.39 | $5.39 |
| $10.00 | $0.78 | $10.78 |
| $25.00 | $1.95 | $26.95 |
| $50.00 | $3.90 | $53.90 |
| $100.00 | $7.80 | $107.80 |
| $500.00 | $39.00 | $539.00 |
| $1,000.00 | $78.00 | $1,078.00 |
Groceries and prescription drugs are exempt statewide, so they carry $0 tax in Cincinnati. Prepared food and general merchandise are taxed at 7.80%.
Cincinnati sales tax FAQ
The combined sales tax rate in Cincinnati is 7.80% in 2026. This is based on its location in Hamilton County, which adds a 2.05% county and transit portion to Ohio's 5.75% state base rate.
At 7.80%, sales tax on a $100 taxable purchase in Cincinnati is $7.80, for a total of $107.80.
No. Unprepared groceries and prescription drugs are exempt from Ohio sales tax statewide, so they are not taxed in Cincinnati. Prepared food and restaurant meals are taxable at 7.80%.
Explore Ohio cities beyond Cincinnati
Need a different calculation? Try the reverse sales tax calculator or the car sales tax calculator.
Not sure what's taxable? Read what is taxable in Ohio, Ohio sales tax exemptions, or how to calculate Ohio sales tax.