The 5 States with No Sales Tax in 2026

Quick Summary

Only 5 states have NO sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon

How much you save: $1,000-$3,000/year depending on spending

The catch: Most have income tax or high property taxes instead

Best overall: New Hampshire (no sales tax + no income tax)

Why Only 5 States?

Sales tax is a massive revenue source for most states. The average American pays $1,200-$2,500/year in sales taxes. States give this up only when they have other strong revenue sources (income tax, property tax, natural resources, etc.).

The 5 no-sales-tax states:

  1. Alaska
  2. Delaware
  3. Montana
  4. New Hampshire
  5. Oregon

1. New Hampshire - The Golden State

Best Overall: No Sales Tax + No Income Tax

Sales Tax: 0%

Income Tax: 0% (phased out completely in 2025)

Property Tax: 2.05% (high)

What you save:

  • $25,000 spending = save $2,000/year vs 8% sales tax state
  • $75,000 income = save $4,000-$6,000/year vs high-tax states

The trade-off:

  • High property taxes (2.05% average)
  • On a $400k home: $8,200/year property tax
  • Still a win for high earners who rent

Best for:

  • High-income professionals (save on income tax)
  • People who rent (avoid property tax hit)
  • Those who want "Live Free or Die" lifestyle
  • Anyone tired of Massachusetts taxes next door

NH Tax Calculator

2. Delaware - The Shopping State

Low Property Tax + No Sales Tax

Sales Tax: 0%

Income Tax: 2.2%-6.6% (progressive)

Property Tax: 0.59% (very low!)

What you save:

  • $20,000 spending = save $1,600/year vs 8% state
  • On $400k home: Only $2,360/year property tax

Why it's popular:

  • Tax-free shopping destination: People from PA, NJ, MD drive to DE to shop
  • Low property taxes: Among the lowest in America
  • No sales tax on big purchases: Cars, furniture, electronics all tax-free
  • Beach access: Rehoboth Beach popular with DC/Philly/NY crowd

Best for:

  • Retirees on fixed income
  • People who make large purchases (cars, furniture)
  • Those wanting beach lifestyle near major cities

DE Tax Calculator

3. Oregon - Progressive Paradise

No Sales Tax, But High Income Tax

Sales Tax: 0%

Income Tax: 4.75%-9.9% (progressive)

Property Tax: 0.90% (reasonable)

What you save:

  • $30,000 spending = save $2,400/year vs WA's 10% sales tax

The trade-off:

  • High income tax: 9.9% top rate kicks in at $125k
  • Making $150k = pay $12,500 income tax
  • Not a low-tax state overall

Best for:

  • Lower-income individuals (under $50k)
  • People who value OR lifestyle (nature, Portland, coast)
  • Those who don't mind income tax

OR Tax Calculator

4. Montana - Big Sky Savings

No Sales Tax in Most of State

Sales Tax: 0% (but some resort towns levy local "resort tax")

Income Tax: 4.7%-5.9% (progressive)

Property Tax: 0.74% (low)

What you save:

  • $25,000 spending = save $2,000/year

The catch:

  • Resort towns (Big Sky, Whitefish) levy local taxes
  • Very rural = limited job opportunities
  • Harsh winters

Best for:

  • Outdoor enthusiasts
  • Remote workers who value nature
  • Retirees seeking low cost of living

MT Tax Calculator

5. Alaska - Natural Resource Funded

No State Sales Tax (But Local Taxes Exist)

State Sales Tax: 0%

Local Sales Tax: Up to 7.5% in some cities

Income Tax: 0%

Property Tax: 1.04% (varies widely)

What you save:

  • Depends on city - Anchorage has 0%, Juneau has 5%

Why no state sales tax?

  • Oil revenue funds the state
  • Alaska Permanent Fund pays residents ~$1,000-$2,000/year dividend

The reality:

  • High cost of living (everything shipped in)
  • Harsh climate
  • Limited job opportunities outside Anchorage
  • Isolated from rest of US

Best for:

  • Adventurous types
  • Oil/gas workers
  • People who love wilderness

AK Tax Calculator

How Much Do You Actually Save?

Real Savings Examples

Family spending $30,000/year on taxable goods:

State Type Sales Tax Rate Annual Sales Tax Savings (vs no tax)
No-Sales-Tax States 0% $0 ---
California 7.25-10.25% $2,475 -$2,475
Tennessee 9.55% $2,865 -$2,865
Texas 8.20% $2,460 -$2,460

Over 20 years: Save $49,000-$57,000 in sales taxes!

The Verdict: Which No-Sales-Tax State is Best?

For overall tax savings: New Hampshire wins (no income tax + no sales tax)

For homeowners: Delaware wins (no sales tax + very low property tax)

For lifestyle: Oregon if you love nature and don't mind income tax

For adventure: Alaska or Montana if you're okay with remote living

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