Commerce Township vs Highland Township: property taxes compared
Commerce Township is the cheaper of the two. Its lowest homestead rate is 24.5296 mills against Highland Township's 32.7248 — about $1,434 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commerce Township | 24.5296–34.0119 | 2 of 52 | $3,066 | $4,293 | $6,132 |
| Highland Township | 32.7248 | 25 of 52 | $4,091 | $5,727 | $8,181 |
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 | Commerce Township | Highland Township | Gap on $350k |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huron Valley Schools | 27.5203 | 32.7248 | $911/yr |
What the difference costs over time
Held for 10 years, that gap compounds to $14,342 at today's rates on a $350,000 home — before any millage change. At $250,000 the annual difference is $1,024; at $500,000 it is $2,049. 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 Commerce Township alone the homestead rate runs 24.5296 to 34.0119 mills — a $1,659 annual swing on a $350,000 home, wider than the $1,434 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 Commerce Township or Highland Township cheaper for property taxes?
Commerce Township is the cheaper of the two. Its lowest homestead rate is 24.5296 mills against Highland Township's 32.7248 — about $1,434 a year less on a $350,000 home at the uncapped taxable value.
How much more are property taxes in Highland Township than Commerce Township?
About $1,434 a year on a $350,000 home — 32.7248 mills versus 24.5296 at each city's lowest homestead rate, using the official 2025 Michigan Treasury millage report.
Do Commerce Township and Highland Township share any school districts?
Yes — Huron Valley Schools. 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.