What Sales Tax Rate Do You Pay in Columbus, Ohio?

The total sales tax rate in Columbus, Ohio is 7.5%, made up of three layers: Ohio's statewide base rate of 5.75%, a Franklin County rate of 1.25%, and a 0.5% transit tax collected by the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA).

That combined 7.5% applies to most retail purchases made within Columbus city limits, including clothing, electronics, and restaurant meals. Because the county portion of the rate belongs to Franklin County, the rate can differ if you're shopping in nearby suburbs that fall outside Franklin County's jurisdiction. Delaware County, which covers parts of the Columbus metro including Powell and Westerville, carries a different county-level rate, so the total you pay at checkout depends on the physical location of the store, not your home address.

Ohio exempts certain purchases from sales tax entirely. Groceries (unprepared food), prescription drugs, and most agricultural supplies are not taxed at the state or local level. Prepared food from restaurants does carry the full 7.5%.

The Ohio Department of Taxation maintains the official rate lookup tool at tax.ohio.gov, where you can confirm the current rate for any Ohio ZIP code. Rates occasionally change when county transit levies are added or adjusted, so that tool is the reliable check before budgeting a large purchase.