Deerfield Township vs North Branch Township: property taxes compared
Deerfield Township is the cheaper of the two. Its lowest homestead rate is 20.7543 mills against North Branch Township's 22.2826 — about $267 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deerfield Township | 20.7543–26.1043 | 4 of 21 | $2,594 | $3,632 | $5,189 |
| North Branch Township | 22.2826–40.8704 | 12 of 21 | $2,785 | $3,899 | $5,571 |
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 2 school districts. 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 | Deerfield Township | North Branch Township | Gap on $350k |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lapeer Community School District | 20.7543 | 22.2826 | $267/yr |
| North Branch Area Schools | 26.1043 | 27.6326 | $267/yr |
What the difference costs over time
Held for 10 years, that gap compounds to $2,675 at today's rates on a $350,000 home — before any millage change. At $250,000 the annual difference is $191; at $500,000 it is $382. 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 North Branch Township alone the homestead rate runs 22.2826 to 40.8704 mills — a $3,253 annual swing on a $350,000 home, wider than the $267 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 Deerfield Township or North Branch Township cheaper for property taxes?
Deerfield Township is the cheaper of the two. Its lowest homestead rate is 20.7543 mills against North Branch Township's 22.2826 — about $267 a year less on a $350,000 home at the uncapped taxable value.
How much more are property taxes in North Branch Township than Deerfield Township?
About $267 a year on a $350,000 home — 22.2826 mills versus 20.7543 at each city's lowest homestead rate, using the official 2025 Michigan Treasury millage report.
Do Deerfield Township and North Branch Township share any school districts?
Yes — Lapeer Community School District, North Branch Area 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.