Birmingham is the cheaper of the two. Its lowest homestead rate is 38.1422 mills against Southfield's 50.6993 — about $2,197 a year less on a $350,000 home at the uncapped taxable value.
| Municipality | Homestead mills | County rank | $250,000 | $350,000 | $500,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 38.1422 | 35 of 52 | $4,768 | $6,675 | $9,536 |
| Southfield | 50.6993–58.1881 | 49 of 52 | $6,337 | $8,872 | $12,675 |
Dollar columns are the annual homestead bill at the uncapped taxable value — roughly half the purchase price. Multi-district cities show their full rate range; the rank and dollar figures use each city's lowest district.
These two municipalities share 1 school district. A school district is not a taxing unit — the city millage stacks on top — so the same classrooms can cost a different amount per year depending on which side of the municipal line the house sits.
| Shared district | Birmingham | Southfield | Gap on $350k |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham City School District | 38.1422 | 51.8496 | $2,399/yr |
Birmingham is the cheaper of the two. Its lowest homestead rate is 38.1422 mills against Southfield's 50.6993 — about $2,197 a year less on a $350,000 home at the uncapped taxable value.
About $2,197 a year on a $350,000 home — 50.6993 mills versus 38.1422 at each city's lowest homestead rate, using the official 2025 Michigan Treasury millage report.
Yes — Birmingham City School District. The rate still differs across the municipal line because city millage stacks on top of the school levy, so the same district can cost more in one city than the other.
Usually not, in either city. Michigan taxable value uncaps the year after a sale and resets to roughly half the purchase price, so the seller's capped bill on the listing is almost always lower than what you will pay.