Cambridge Sales Tax
Massachusetts. Combined state + county + city. Category exemptions and how it compares to neighboring states.
Category exemptions in Massachusetts
What gets taxed and what's exempt — these rules apply across the entire state of Massachusetts, including Cambridge.
| Category | Rule | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries | Exempt | Unprepared food at grocery stores. |
| Clothing | Exempt | Clothing under $175 exempt; only excess taxed |
| Prescription drugs | Exempt | Prescribed medications dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. |
Massachusetts sales tax holiday
At 6.25% combined rate, a $500 clothing purchase normally costs $31.25in tax. On the tax-free weekend (within caps), that's $0.00.
Sales tax on common amounts
| Purchase | Tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $10 | $0.63 | $10.63 |
| $50 | $3.13 | $53.13 |
| $100 | $6.25 | $106.25 |
| $250 | $15.63 | $265.63 |
| $500 | $31.25 | $531.25 |
| $1,000 | $62.50 | $1062.50 |
| $5,000 | $312.50 | $5312.50 |
| $10,000 | $625.00 | $10625.00 |
Border shopping — neighboring states
For larger purchases, driving to a neighboring state with lower sales tax can save real money. Top metro sales tax in each contiguous neighbor of Massachusetts.
| State | Reference city | Rate | vs Cambridge | $1,000 savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts (current) | Cambridge | 6.25% | — | — |
| New Hampshire | Manchester | 0.00% | -6.25% | $62.50 |
| Vermont | Colchester | 6.00% | -0.25% | $2.50 |
| Connecticut | Hartford | 6.35% | +0.10% | — |
| Rhode Island | Providence | 7.00% | +0.75% | — |
| New York | Rochester | 8.00% | +1.75% | — |
Use tax (state where you live) may still apply on out-of-state purchases for items shipped or for registered goods like vehicles. For everyday retail walked across the border, savings are realized at point of sale.
Other cities in Massachusetts
Common questions
- What is the total sales tax rate in Cambridge?
- Cambridge, Massachusetts charges a combined sales tax of 6.25%. That's 6.25% state tax plus 0.00% local (county + city + special district) on top.
- Are groceries taxed in Cambridge?
- Massachusetts exempts unprepared groceries from state sales tax. Hot or prepared food (deli, restaurant, hot bar) is still taxable at the full combined rate.
- Is clothing taxed in Cambridge?
- Massachusetts treats clothing favorably. Clothing under $175 exempt; only excess taxed
- How do I save on sales tax when shopping in Cambridge?
- Three levers: (1) the Annual Sales Tax Holiday in Mid-August weekend, (2) buy exempt categories (groceries, clothing, prescription drugs), (3) drive across the border if a nearby state has a lower rate.
Full data sources and formulas: /sources.
Estimate only — not tax advice. Local sales tax rates change frequently and may include special district levies not modeled here. Verify with the retailer or local taxing authority for large purchases. Category exemption rules and tax holidays change by year — check the Massachusetts Department of Revenue for current rules. Methodology → Massachusetts state rate →
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