Hotel Tax Calculator: Lodging Tax and Total Stay Cost
Work out the occupancy tax added to a hotel room rate and the real total cost of a stay.
Adjust the inputs and select Calculate for a full breakdown.
Compare Common Scenarios
How the numbers shift across typical situations for this calculator:
| Scenario | Hotel tax | Total stay cost |
|---|---|---|
| $600 · 14% | $84.00 | $684.00 |
| $250 · 12% | $30.00 | $280.00 |
| $1,200 · 16.5% | $198.00 | $1,398.00 |
| $420 · 10% | $42.00 | $462.00 |
How This Calculator Works
Enter the room cost for the stay and the occupancy tax rate that applies. The calculator multiplies the two to find the hotel tax, then adds it to the room cost for the total. Occupancy taxes are set locally and vary widely between cities.
The Formula
Percentage Add-On
Rate is the tax or tip percentage applied to the amount
Worked Example
A $600 room cost at a 14% occupancy tax rate carries $84 of hotel tax, for a total stay cost of $684. Quoted nightly rates rarely include this tax, so the figure at checkout is higher than the booking price.
Key Insight
Hotel occupancy taxes are local and often steep — in some major cities the combined rate exceeds 15%. Flat resort fees, charged on top of the percentage tax, can push the real cost of a stay higher still.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is hotel occupancy tax?
It is a local tax on short-term lodging, charged as a percentage of the room rate. City and county governments set it, and it funds local services and tourism.
Why is the rate so different between cities?
Occupancy tax is set locally, so the rate varies widely. Major destinations often combine state, county, and city lodging taxes into a high total.
Are resort fees the same as hotel tax?
No. A resort fee is a flat charge set by the hotel, not a government tax. This calculator covers the percentage tax only; add any resort fee separately.
Is occupancy tax charged on the whole stay?
Yes. Enter the total room cost for all nights; the tax applies to that full amount. Some jurisdictions exempt stays beyond a certain length.
Do booking sites show the tax upfront?
Often the tax appears only at the final checkout step. Calculating it in advance avoids a surprise when the total is confirmed.
Related Calculators
Data Sources & Benchmarks
This calculator draws on 1 independent, dated source.
Methodology & Review
Hotel tax is the room cost multiplied by the occupancy tax rate; the total adds the tax to the room cost. Flat per-night fees and resort fees are not included.
Written by Ugo Candido · Last updated May 17, 2026.