ST. LOUIS • The city's sales tax would rise to among the highest in the nation if voters approve a statewide transportation initiative on the Aug. 5 ballot.

A look at the base sales tax rates in other major U.S. cities shows that the proposed three-quarter increase would catapult St. Louis to near the highest in the country. Higher than New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco.

If approved, the increase would take the base St. Louis sales tax from 8.679 percent to 9.429 percent.

City and county voters last year approved a hike to their base tax rates to help fund improvements to the Gateway Arch grounds and other parks throughout the area.

The only major city with a higher base rate than that is Seattle, which is 9.5 percent. Kansas City's rate would increase from 8.35 to 9.10.

Sales tax rates can vary greatly and often be higher than the base rate, depending on special taxing districts.