Lorain, Ohio Sales Tax Rate
Buying in Lorain? Because it is located in Lorain County, the combined sales tax rate is 6.50%. Below is the full breakdown and a calculator preset to Lorain's rate.
- Ohio state base5.75%
- Lorain County & transit0.75%
- Total you pay6.50%
Lorain sits in Lorain County, so its combined rate is 6.50% — Ohio's 5.75% state base plus 0.75% in Lorain County and transit tax. That is the rate on an in-store purchase in Lorain, 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 $53.25 out the door. Unprepared groceries and prescription drugs are exempt statewide, so they stay untaxed in Lorain no matter the local rate. Compare this against every other Ohio county rate.
Lorain has a population of about 63,647, making it the 10th largest of the 61 Ohio cities tracked here. It sits in Lorain County, and its 3 ZIP codes all fall inside that county, so every address in Lorain is taxed at 6.50%.
Lorain ZIP codes at 6.50%
- 44052
- 44053
- 44055
How Lorain compares to nearby cities
| City | Distance | County | Rate | vs Lorain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lorain | — | Lorain | 6.50% | — |
| Elyria | 7 mi | Lorain | 6.50% | same |
| Westlake | 13.7 mi | Cuyahoga | 8.00% | +1.50% |
| Berea | 18 mi | Cuyahoga | 8.00% | +1.50% |
| Lakewood | 20 mi | Cuyahoga | 8.00% | +1.50% |
Every nearby city charges the same as Lorain or more — Westlake in Cuyahoga County is 1.50% higher. Crossing a county line to shop will not save you tax here.
Calculate tax in Lorain
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.
Lorain sales tax by purchase amount
| Purchase | Sales Tax (6.50%) | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $1.00 | $0.07 | $1.07 |
| $5.00 | $0.33 | $5.33 |
| $10.00 | $0.65 | $10.65 |
| $25.00 | $1.63 | $26.63 |
| $50.00 | $3.25 | $53.25 |
| $100.00 | $6.50 | $106.50 |
| $500.00 | $32.50 | $532.50 |
| $1,000.00 | $65.00 | $1,065.00 |
Groceries and prescription drugs are exempt statewide, so they carry $0 tax in Lorain. Prepared food and general merchandise are taxed at 6.50%.
Lorain 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 Lorain is 6.50% in 2026. This is based on its location in Lorain County, which adds a 0.75% county and transit portion to Ohio's 5.75% state base rate.
At 6.50%, sales tax on a $100 taxable purchase in Lorain is $6.50, for a total of $106.50.
No. Unprepared groceries and prescription drugs are exempt from Ohio sales tax statewide, so they are not taxed in Lorain. Prepared food and restaurant meals are taxable at 6.50%.
Lorain covers 3 ZIP codes (44052, 44053, 44055), and all of them fall in Lorain County, so every one is taxed at 6.50%. A ZIP can straddle a county line, so for a specific street address confirm with Ohio's own address lookup.
Explore Ohio cities beyond Lorain
Check taxable items in Lorain under our guide to taxable goods in Ohio or learn about the annual Ohio sales tax holiday.