Clarkston vs Sylvan Lake: property taxes compared
Sylvan Lake is the cheaper of the two. Its lowest homestead rate is 36.0418 mills against Clarkston's 36.2619 — about $39 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sylvan Lake | 36.0418–41.9749 | 29 of 52 | $4,505 | $6,307 | $9,010 |
| Clarkston | 36.2619 | 30 of 52 | $4,533 | $6,346 | $9,065 |
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.
Common questions
Is Clarkston or Sylvan Lake cheaper for property taxes?
Sylvan Lake is the cheaper of the two. Its lowest homestead rate is 36.0418 mills against Clarkston's 36.2619 — about $39 a year less on a $350,000 home at the uncapped taxable value.
How much more are property taxes in Clarkston than Sylvan Lake?
About $39 a year on a $350,000 home — 36.2619 mills versus 36.0418 at each city's lowest homestead rate, using the official 2025 Michigan Treasury millage report.
Do Clarkston and Sylvan Lake share any school districts?
No. Clarkston and Sylvan Lake draw from different school districts, so a move between them changes both the city millage and the school levy underneath it.
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.