RATE BREAKDOWN
Pasadena Sales Tax Rate, Broken Down
| Component | Rate |
|---|---|
| California statewide base rate | 7.25% |
| District taxes in Pasadena | 3.25% |
| Total Pasadena sales tax | 10.5% |
2026 PASADENA SALES TAX
Pasadena Sales Tax 2026
Pasadena sales tax is 10.500%, which puts it in the highest band of any city in California. It is not an outlier locally, though — the entire San Gabriel Valley around it charges exactly the same, so there is nowhere cheap to drive to.
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Sales tax due
Pasadena, CA · 10.5%
TOTAL WITH TAX$110.50$10.50 of sales tax
Price 90.5%Sales tax 9.5%
Price before tax$100.00
Sales tax at 10.5%+$10.50
Total$110.50
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Sales tax is charged on the delivery address, not the billing address, and some goods are exempt or taxed differently. See the methodology and source list.
The calculator is pre-filled at 10.500%. Unlike most of California, the rate here does not change as you cross city lines: Glendale, Burbank, Arcadia, Alhambra, Monrovia, South Pasadena and Sierra Madre are all at 10.500% too.
CDTFA ratesEffective July 1, 2026Free to Use
CA SALES TAX
Why Pasadena Reaches 10.5%
California's statewide base is 7.250%. Los Angeles County adds district taxes taking it to 9.750% countywide. Pasadena then adds another 0.750% of city district tax, landing at 10.500%.
That is 3.250% of district tax stacked on the base — well past the 2.000% ceiling that normally caps district taxes, which is possible because the legislature has authorised additional district capacity for specific areas over the years.
In practical terms Pasadena is three-quarters of a point above the Los Angeles County figure and a full point above what a shopper in Torrance pays.
CA SALES TAX
The San Gabriel Valley Moves as a Bloc
What makes Pasadena unusual is not the rate itself but the uniformity around it. Seven neighbouring cities — Glendale, Burbank, Arcadia, Alhambra, Monrovia, South Pasadena and Sierra Madre — all charge 10.500% as well.
Elsewhere in California a shopper making a large purchase can often save a point by crossing a city line. Here that option does not exist within any reasonable distance, which is worth knowing before driving somewhere for a furniture or appliance purchase.
NEARBY RATES
How Pasadena Compares Nearby
Unusually for California, every neighbouring city matches Pasadena exactly:
| City | Sales tax rate | vs Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Pasadena | 10.5% | — |
| Glendale | 10.5% | same |
| Burbank | 10.5% | same |
| Arcadia | 10.5% | same |
| Alhambra | 10.5% | same |
| Monrovia | 10.5% | same |
| South Pasadena | 10.5% | same |
| Sierra Madre | 10.5% | same |
TAXABLE OR NOT
What Pasadena Sales Tax Applies To
At 10.500% the exemptions matter more than usual, because the tax on anything that is not exempt is over a tenth of the price.
- Unprepared groceries are exempt — a meaningful saving at this rate
- Restaurant meals and hot prepared food are taxable at 10.500%
- Prescription medicines are exempt; over-the-counter medicines generally are not
- Labour and services are not subject to California sales tax
- Vehicles follow the buyer's registration address, not the dealer's
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Pasadena Sales Tax Questions
What is the sales tax rate in Pasadena?+
Pasadena charges 10.500%: California's 7.250% statewide base, plus Los Angeles County district taxes bringing it to 9.750%, plus a further 0.750% of Pasadena city district tax.
Is Pasadena the highest sales tax in California?+
It is in the top band. At 10.500% Pasadena matches Long Beach and several other Los Angeles County cities; a handful, such as Compton at 10.750%, are higher still.
How much is sales tax on $100 in Pasadena?+
$10.50, for a total of $110.50. On a $3,000 purchase the tax is $315.
Is sales tax cheaper in Glendale or Burbank than Pasadena?+
No. Glendale, Burbank, Arcadia, Alhambra, Monrovia, South Pasadena and Sierra Madre all charge 10.500%, exactly the same as Pasadena. There is no nearby city with a lower rate.
Why is Pasadena higher than Los Angeles County's 9.75%?+
The 9.750% figure is the county baseline. Pasadena's voters approved an additional city district tax of 0.750% on top of it, which only applies inside the Pasadena city limits.
What rate applies to an order shipped to Pasadena?+
10.500%. California sources sales to the delivery address, so the seller's location makes no difference.
RATE SOURCE
Where These Rates Come From
Pasadena's 10.500% is the CDTFA's published city rate, combining the Los Angeles County figure with the city's own district tax. Both layers change on the quarterly cycle and either can move independently. California City and County Sales and Use Tax Rates, effective July 1, 2026.
Disclaimer: Planning figures only. At 10.500% the tax on a large purchase is substantial, so confirm the rate for the exact address with the CDTFA before relying on it.
Reviewed by: Paycheck Calculator Editorial Team
Rate table effective: July 1, 2026
OTHER RATES