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. That is the rate on an in-store purchase in Cincinnati, and the rate an out-of-state or marketplace seller charges on an order delivered here — an Ohio seller shipping from another county charges its own county's rate instead, because Ohio sources intrastate sales to the vendor. 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. Compare this against every other Ohio county rate.
Cincinnati has a population of about 311,097, making it the 3rd largest of the 61 Ohio cities tracked here. It sits in Hamilton County, and its 71 ZIP codes all fall inside that county, so every address in Cincinnati is taxed at 7.80%.
Cincinnati ZIP codes at 7.80%
- 45201
- 45202
- 45203
- 45204
- 45205
- 45206
- 45207
- 45208
- 45209
- 45211
- 45212
- 45213
- 45214
- 45215
Showing 14 of 71 Cincinnati ZIP codes. All carry the same 7.80% rate.
How Cincinnati compares to nearby cities
| City | Distance | County | Rate | vs Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | — | Hamilton | 7.80% | — |
| Fairfield | 15.3 mi | Butler | 6.50% | -1.30% |
| Hamilton | 19 mi | Butler | 6.50% | -1.30% |
| Mason | 19.5 mi | Warren | 7.25% | -0.55% |
| Batavia | 19.9 mi | Clermont | 6.75% | -1.05% |
Fairfield, about 15.3 miles away in Butler County, charges 6.50% — 1.30% less than Cincinnati. On a $1,000.00 purchase that is a $13.00 difference. Vehicles are the exception: they are taxed at your county of residence, not where you buy or register them.
Calculate tax in Cincinnati
Calculate Ohio Sales Tax
Ohio · 2026 tax year · all 88 countiesCalculate total cost and exact Ohio state + county tax on your pre-tax purchase.
An official 2026 estimate based on Ohio Department of Taxation rate schedules (R.C. 5739.02). Actual checkout receipts round intermediate fractions per R.C. 5739.025.
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
Statutory guidance reconciled against official Ohio Department of Taxation regulations, county permissive levies, and R.C. 5739 sourcing rules.
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%.
Cincinnati covers 71 ZIP codes (45201, 45202, 45203, 45204, 45205, 45206 and more), and all of them fall in Hamilton County, so every one is taxed at 7.80%. A ZIP can straddle a county line, so for a specific street address confirm with Ohio's own address lookup.
Yes — Fairfield is about 15.3 miles away in Butler County at 6.50%, and Hamilton is about 19 miles away in Butler County at 6.50%, and Mason is about 19.5 miles away in Warren County at 7.25%, and Batavia is about 19.9 miles away in Clermont County at 6.75%. Ohio sources sales tax to where the sale happens for in-store purchases, so buying there does mean the lower rate. It does not work for vehicles: those are taxed at the rate of your county of residence, not where you buy or register them.
Explore Ohio cities beyond Cincinnati
Check taxable items in Cincinnati under our guide to taxable goods in Ohio or learn about the annual Ohio sales tax holiday.