Michigan tax bills turn on the difference between two values. The state equalized value is meant to track a fixed fraction of market value. The taxable value, which is what the bill is based on, can rise each year by no more than inflation or a small fixed cap under Proposal A, whichever is lower. Over a long ownership taxable value falls well behind the state equalized value.
When a home sells, its taxable value uncaps. In the year after the transfer it jumps to the state equalized value, and the cap starts again from there. This is the most common surprise for Michigan buyers: the seller’s last bill can be a fraction of the new owner’s first one. Budget from the price, not from the listing’s tax line.
The principal residence exemption excuses your home from most of the local school operating millage, a large part of the bill. File the affidavit with the township or city assessor soon after you move in; without it, you pay at the non-homestead rate that applies to rentals and second homes. Lower-income households can also claim the homestead property tax credit on their state income tax return.
Tax bills come twice a year, a summer bill and a winter bill, collected by the city or township treasurer, and most mortgage escrow accounts pay both. State and county transfer taxes are charged on the deed and are usually paid by the seller. Homes on wells, septic systems or along the Great Lakes shoreline deserve inspections suited to them.
Property tax in Michigan
The median Michigan homeowner pays $2,904 a year in property tax on a home valued at $231,600, an effective rate of 1.2539% in the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS 5-year 2020-2024). That ranks the 14th highest of the 50 states and DC, above the middle state's 0.8003%. At that rate each $100,000 of home value carries about $1,254 a year of tax, or $104.49 a month in the payment, and that rate is what the calculator above starts from.
Inside Michigan the rate more than doubles from the cheapest county to the dearest. Among counties whose survey figures pass both quality checks, the effective rate runs from 0.6802% in Leelanau County to 1.831% in Ingham County. On a $231,600 home that gap is worth about $2,665 a year. Pick a county in the calculator to use its rate, or type the rate from a listing or a current tax bill.
Michigan property tax rates by county
All 83 counties, sorted from the highest effective rate to the lowest. The rate is the median tax paid divided by the median home value, from the ACS 5-year 2020-2024 survey (figures to December 31, 2024). Of these, one carries a flag: where the survey's margin of error is wide or home values hit the survey's top code, the calculator uses the Michigan median instead of that county's figure.
| County | Effective rate | Median home value | Median tax a year | Survey | Flags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ingham County | 1.831% | $198,800 | $3,640 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Wayne County | 1.6269% | $178,500 | $2,904 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Washtenaw County | 1.5178% | $374,100 | $5,678 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Saginaw County | 1.4948% | $152,800 | $2,284 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Bay County | 1.4921% | $152,200 | $2,271 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Midland County | 1.4713% | $195,400 | $2,875 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Calhoun County | 1.4545% | $162,800 | $2,368 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Kalamazoo County | 1.4467% | $241,800 | $3,498 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Gogebic County | 1.4319% | $107,200 | $1,535 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Eaton County | 1.414% | $216,900 | $3,067 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Macomb County | 1.3957% | $243,900 | $3,404 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Genesee County | 1.3635% | $182,400 | $2,487 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Iron County | 1.3446% | $109,100 | $1,467 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Isabella County | 1.3357% | $170,400 | $2,276 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Shiawassee County | 1.3118% | $171,600 | $2,251 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Oakland County | 1.2721% | $343,600 | $4,371 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Lenawee County | 1.2663% | $196,800 | $2,492 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Dickinson County | 1.2655% | $153,300 | $1,940 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Chippewa County | 1.2588% | $161,900 | $2,038 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Jackson County | 1.2555% | $193,700 | $2,432 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Gratiot County | 1.238% | $147,500 | $1,826 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Van Buren County | 1.2281% | $206,500 | $2,536 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Clinton County | 1.2274% | $259,500 | $3,185 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Baraga County | 1.2158% | $138,100 | $1,679 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Tuscola County | 1.212% | $149,500 | $1,812 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Huron County | 1.1854% | $154,300 | $1,829 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Muskegon County | 1.1841% | $198,300 | $2,348 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Houghton County | 1.162% | $159,900 | $1,858 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Ontonagon County | 1.1585% | $111,700 | $1,294 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Monroe County | 1.1568% | $228,900 | $2,648 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Branch County | 1.1563% | $162,500 | $1,879 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Gladwin County | 1.1503% | $162,300 | $1,867 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| St. Clair County | 1.1407% | $224,600 | $2,562 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Arenac County | 1.1335% | $150,600 | $1,707 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Wexford County | 1.1309% | $170,400 | $1,927 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Delta County | 1.1273% | $157,100 | $1,771 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Ionia County | 1.127% | $198,500 | $2,237 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Clare County | 1.1129% | $133,800 | $1,489 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Kent County | 1.1097% | $289,900 | $3,217 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Newaygo County | 1.1007% | $186,700 | $2,055 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| St. Joseph County | 1.0987% | $178,300 | $1,959 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Lake County | 1.0874% | $133,900 | $1,456 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Berrien County | 1.0829% | $224,300 | $2,429 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Allegan County | 1.0797% | $267,100 | $2,884 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Mackinac County | 1.0676% | $174,500 | $1,863 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Alpena County | 1.065% | $153,900 | $1,639 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Crawford County | 1.0638% | $163,000 | $1,734 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Mason County | 1.0628% | $219,600 | $2,334 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Barry County | 1.0485% | $264,100 | $2,769 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Manistee County | 1.0417% | $182,200 | $1,898 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Ottawa County | 1.0244% | $323,400 | $3,313 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Osceola County | 1.0193% | $155,400 | $1,584 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Menominee County | 1.0125% | $151,800 | $1,537 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Montcalm County | 1.0113% | $185,500 | $1,876 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Roscommon County | 1.0107% | $158,700 | $1,604 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Oceana County | 1.0068% | $190,100 | $1,914 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Keweenaw County | 0.9947% | $169,800 | $1,689 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | Wide margin of error |
| Mecosta County | 0.9939% | $178,900 | $1,778 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Schoolcraft County | 0.9922% | $141,800 | $1,407 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Hillsdale County | 0.9869% | $176,100 | $1,738 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Missaukee County | 0.983% | $170,400 | $1,675 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Luce County | 0.9795% | $112,000 | $1,097 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Marquette County | 0.9741% | $216,500 | $2,109 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Cass County | 0.9706% | $218,000 | $2,116 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Livingston County | 0.968% | $356,800 | $3,454 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Iosco County | 0.9557% | $142,200 | $1,359 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Presque Isle County | 0.9465% | $151,300 | $1,432 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Ogemaw County | 0.9451% | $154,900 | $1,464 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Alger County | 0.9398% | $176,200 | $1,656 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Oscoda County | 0.9378% | $125,500 | $1,177 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Lapeer County | 0.9213% | $239,000 | $2,202 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Sanilac County | 0.9031% | $168,300 | $1,520 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Charlevoix County | 0.9007% | $276,800 | $2,493 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Grand Traverse County | 0.8869% | $339,400 | $3,010 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Cheboygan County | 0.8852% | $192,500 | $1,704 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Kalkaska County | 0.8714% | $188,900 | $1,646 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Montmorency County | 0.86% | $158,600 | $1,364 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Antrim County | 0.8442% | $255,500 | $2,157 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Emmet County | 0.8343% | $315,700 | $2,634 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Alcona County | 0.8237% | $162,800 | $1,341 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Otsego County | 0.7988% | $219,700 | $1,755 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Benzie County | 0.7917% | $285,700 | $2,262 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
| Leelanau County | 0.6802% | $458,400 | $3,118 | ACS 5-year 2020-2024 | None |
Worked example: the median Michigan home
The median owner-occupied home in Michigan is valued at $231,600 (ACS 5-year 2020-2024). Put $46,320 down, enough to keep the loan at 80% of the price so no PMI is charged, and borrow the rest over 30 years at 7.4%, the Freddie Mac average for the week of October 15, 2026. Insurance is the calculator's default of $1,500 a year, the same figure on every state page and 7.6% of this payment; real premiums vary widely from state to state and with a home's exposure to wind, flood and wildfire, so replace it with a premium for the Michigan home you are pricing.
| Line | A month | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Principal and interest | $1,282.84 | $15,394.08 |
| Property tax | $242.00 | $2,904.00 |
| Homeowners insurance | $125.00 | $1,500.00 |
| Private mortgage insurance | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Total payment | $1,649.84 | $19,798.08 |
Principal and interest dominate the bill; tax and insurance, usually collected through escrow, add $367.00 a month, 22.2% of the total. Over the full term the $185,280 loan costs $276,544 in interest.
With $23,160 down instead, the loan grows to $208,440 and PMI of $86.85 a month is added, for a first payment of $1,897.05. On the regular schedule the PMI stops after 10 years, with the payment in October 2036. A 15-year loan at the 6.71% average, with the larger down payment, raises the monthly figure to $2,002.45 but cuts the interest to $109,102.
What the median Michigan wage can buy
The median annual wage in Michigan is $49,270 (BLS wage survey, May 2025). Paid every two weeks as a single filer, that leaves about $3,306 a month after federal and Michigan paycheck deductions. With $60,000 saved for a down payment and $400 a month of other debts, the home affordability calculator's default 28/36 rule gives this range at 7.4% and the Michigan property tax rate:
| Level | Home price | Monthly payment |
|---|---|---|
| Conservative | $89,974 | $427 |
| Target | $171,738 | $1,078 |
| Stretch | $207,803 | $1,366 |
Here the limit is total debt: the housing payment plus the other $400 a month reaches 36% of gross pay first. The target falls $59,862 short of the $231,600 median home value: the median home costs 4.7 times the median wage, so a typical Michigan purchase usually needs a second income, a larger down payment or a cheaper area.
Everyday costs help: Michigan's prices for goods and rent run 3.8% below the national average, by the Bureau of Economic Analysis price parities for 2024 (figures to December 31, 2024). That stretches the median wage to about $51,207 in national dollars.
Michigan mortgage questions
What is the mortgage payment on the median home in Michigan?
The median Michigan home is valued at $231,600 in the Census Bureau's ACS 5-year 2020-2024 figures. With $46,320 down and a 30-year loan at the 7.4% weekly average, the payment is $1,649.84 a month: $1,282.84 of principal and interest, $242.00 of property tax and $125.00 of insurance.
What is the property tax rate in Michigan?
Homeowners in Michigan pay a median of $2,904 a year on a median home value of $231,600, an effective rate of 1.2539%. That is the 14th highest of the 50 states and DC. It is a measure of what owners actually pay, not a rate set in law, and a new purchase can be taxed differently.
Which Michigan county has the highest property tax rate?
Among counties with reliable survey figures, Ingham County has the highest effective rate at 1.831% and Leelanau County the lowest at 0.6802%. On the $231,600 median home, that gap is about $2,665 a year.
How much house can I afford on the median Michigan wage?
On the median wage of $49,270, take-home pay is about $3,306 a month. With $60,000 down and $400 a month of other debts, the 28/36 rule points to a home of about $171,738, against a median home value of $231,600.
Does a smaller down payment change the Michigan payment much?
With $23,160 down on the same home the loan is larger and private mortgage insurance is added, so the payment starts at $1,897.05 a month, $86.85 of it PMI. The PMI stops once the scheduled balance reaches 78% of the original value.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS 5-year 2020-2024), tables B25103 and B25077
- Freddie Mac, 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States [MORTGAGE30US], retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities, 2024
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, removing PMI
Mortgage rates: Freddie Mac weekly averages as of . Property tax rates: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2020-2024 as of . Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 as of . How we calculate.