Brighton Township vs Howell: property taxes compared
Brighton Township is the cheaper of the two. Its lowest homestead rate is 19.8570 mills against Howell's 37.8695 — about $3,152 a year less on a $350,000 home at the uncapped taxable value.
Side by side
| Municipality | Homestead mills | County rank | $250,000 | $350,000 | $500,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brighton Township | 19.8570–27.5026 | 5 of 19 | $2,482 | $3,475 | $4,964 |
| Howell | 37.8695 | 19 of 19 | $4,734 | $6,627 | $9,467 |
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.
Same schools, different bill
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 | Brighton Township | Howell | Gap on $350k |
|---|---|---|---|
| Howell Public School District | 22.6453 | 37.8695 | $2,664/yr |
What the difference costs over time
Held for 10 years, that gap compounds to $31,522 at today's rates on a $350,000 home — before any millage change. At $250,000 the annual difference is $2,252; at $500,000 it is $4,503. The gap scales with price, so it matters more at the top of each city's market than at the bottom.
Choosing the district can matter more than choosing the city. Inside Brighton Township alone the homestead rate runs 19.8570 to 27.5026 mills — a $1,338 annual swing on a $350,000 home, narrower than the $3,152 gap between the two cities. Two houses on the same street can sit either side of that line.
All figures use each city's lowest homestead rate at the uncapped taxable value — roughly half the purchase price — from the Michigan Department of Treasury's 2025 Total Rates report. A non-homestead property adds about 18 mills on top in either city.
Common questions
Is Brighton Township or Howell cheaper for property taxes?
Brighton Township is the cheaper of the two. Its lowest homestead rate is 19.8570 mills against Howell's 37.8695 — about $3,152 a year less on a $350,000 home at the uncapped taxable value.
How much more are property taxes in Howell than Brighton Township?
About $3,152 a year on a $350,000 home — 37.8695 mills versus 19.8570 at each city's lowest homestead rate, using the official 2025 Michigan Treasury millage report.
Do Brighton Township and Howell share any school districts?
Yes — Howell Public 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.
Will my bill match what the listing shows?
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.