What is Real Property Tax?
Real property tax is a system of taxation that requires owners of land and buildings to pay an amount of money based on the value of their land and buildings.
While the federal tax brackets are the same across the board (based on your filing status), state real property taxes are a different story. Any individual who owns real property in Michigan is subject to Michigan real property taxes.
Who Owes Property Taxes in Michigan?
If you own real property in Michigan, you are required to pay taxes on it. Even if the real property was gifted to you through an estate or you own a rental real property, you are still required to pay it. There is no minimum or maximum amount to pay on your real property in Michigan to pay real property taxes.
What is the Michigan Property Tax Rate?
Are you wondering “What is the average Michigan property tax rate?” Michigan’s effective real property tax rate is 1.64%.
But, rates vary from county to county. In fact, there are two different numbers that reflect your home’s value on your Michigan real property tax bill.
When comparing Michigan real property tax rates it’s helpful to review effective tax rates, which is the annual amount paid as a percentage of the home value. View the rates below:
| County | Median Annual Real property Tax Payment | Average Effective Real property Tax Rate |
| Alcona | $1,103 | 1.15% |
| Alger | $1,336 | 1.12% |
| Allegan | $2,057 | 1.37% |
| Alpena | $1,276 | 1.36% |
| Antrim | $1,613 | 1.06% |
| Arenac | $1,345 | 1.51% |
| Baraga | $1,468 | 1.58% |
| Barry | $1,903 | 1.30% |
| Bay | $1,811 | 1.87% |
| Benzie | $1,542 | 0.95% |
| Berrien | $1,805 | 1.28% |
| Branch | $1,447 | 1.48% |
| Calhoun | $1,944 | 1.89% |
| Cass | $1,521 | 1.19% |
| Charlevoix | $1,815 | 1.14% |
| Cheboygan | $1,241 | 1.06% |
| Chippewa | $1,477 | 1.33% |
| Clare | $1,125 | 1.32% |
| Clinton | $2,521 | 1.53% |
| Crawford | $1,271 | 1.38% |
| Delta | $1,459 | 1.38% |
| Dickinson | $1,503 | 1.63% |
| Eaton | $2,411 | 1.69% |
| Emmet | $1,946 | 1.14% |
| Genesee | $1,845 | 1.91% |
| Gladwin | $1,366 | 1.36% |
| Gogebic | $1,269 | 1.81% |
| Grand Traverse | $2,348 | 1.28% |
| Gratiot | $1,413 | 1.53% |
| Hillsdale | $1,362 | 1.29% |
| Houghton | $1,455 | 1.42% |
| Huron | $1,431 | 1.49% |
| Ingham | $2,761 | 2.23% |
| Ionia | $1,629 | 1.39% |
| Iosco | $1,088 | 1.22% |
| Iron | $1,189 | 1.55% |
| Isabella | $1,898 | 1.48% |
| Jackson | $1,819 | 1.51% |
| Kalamazoo | $2,576 | 1.76% |
| Kalkaska | $1,206 | 1.15% |
| Kent | $2,385 | 1.55% |
| Keweenaw | $1,191 | 1.24% |
| Lake | $1,124 | 1.39% |
| Lapeer | $1,671 | 1.10% |
| Leelanau | $2,244 | 0.90% |
| Lenawee | $2,011 | 1.61% |
| Livingston | $2,681 | 1.23% |
| Luce | $922 | 1.11% |
| Mackinac | $1,344 | 1.07% |
| Macomb | $2,570 | 1.75% |
| Manistee | $1,482 | 1.28% |
| Marquette | $1,537 | 1.08% |
| Mason | $1,756 | 1.39% |
| Mecosta | $1,404 | 1.22% |
| Menominee | $1,223 | 1.28% |
| Midland | $2,282 | 1.72% |
| Missaukee | $1,218 | 1.14% |
| Monroe | $1,975 | 1.32% |
| Montcalm | $1,427 | 1.41% |
| Montmorency | $1,112 | 1.19% |
| Muskegon | $1,743 | 1.66% |
| Newaygo | $1,555 | 1.49% |
| Oakland | $3,429 | 1.63% |
| Oceana | $1,422 | 1.34% |
| Ogemaw | $1,127 | 1.26% |
| Ontonagon | $1,031 | 1.48% |
| Osceola | $1,229 | 1.34% |
| Oscoda | $901 | 1.08% |
| Otsego | $1,422 | 1.15% |
| Ottawa | $2,364 | 1.41% |
| Presque Isle | $1,198 | 1.22% |
| Roscommon | $1,223 | 1.30% |
| Saginaw | $1,697 | 1.79% |
| Sanilac | $1,277 | 1.26% |
| Schoolcraft | $1,151 | 1.10% |
| Shiawassee | $1,671 | 1.51% |
| St. Clair | $1,949 | 1.44% |
| St. Joseph | $1,469 | 1.32% |
| Tuscola | $1,493 | 1.51% |
| Van Buren | $1,934 | 1.57% |
| Washtenaw | $4,079 | 1.76% |
| Wayne | $2,359 | 2.55% |
| Wexford | $1,385 | 1.44% |
Source: SmartAsset.com
How Much Should You Pay?
Want to estimate your real property taxes in Michigan? The Michigan Department of Treasury has a real property tax estimator to use on its website.
What Are Real Property Taxes Used For?
The money collected by Michigan is used for multiple public services throughout the state, like:
- First responders and other law enforcement
- General government services
- Local levies
- Municipal infrastructure and land construction or improvements
- Municipal employees’ pay
- Resident services like garbage pickup
- Recreational services
- Protective services
How Do You Pay?
If you pay your mortgage statement, you can set up your real property tax to be taken out of escrow. Your payment includes:
- Principal
- Interest
- Homeowner’s insurance
- Michigan real property taxes
Look at your current mortgage statement to view your Michigan real property taxes paid.
You can also elect to pay your Michigan state property taxes independently. Look up the Michigan county treasurer, versus Michigan Department of Revenue to pay.
When Are These Taxes Due?
View the Michigan real property tax due dates.
More State Property Tax Help
If you’re looking for more state of Michigan real property tax help, look no further than . We’ll pair you with a tax pro with state-specific expertise. You can have your taxes done by a real tax pro without visiting an office.
Prefer a different way to file? No problem – you can find Michigan state tax expertise with all of our ways to file taxes.
