Detroit vs Harper Woods: property taxes compared
Detroit is the cheaper of the two. Its lowest homestead rate is 64.1844 mills against Harper Woods's 69.1266 — about $865 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | 64.1844 | 40 of 43 | $8,023 | $11,232 | $16,046 |
| Harper Woods | 69.1266–70.4346 | 41 of 43 | $8,641 | $12,097 | $17,282 |
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 Detroit or Harper Woods cheaper for property taxes?
Detroit is the cheaper of the two. Its lowest homestead rate is 64.1844 mills against Harper Woods's 69.1266 — about $865 a year less on a $350,000 home at the uncapped taxable value.
How much more are property taxes in Harper Woods than Detroit?
About $865 a year on a $350,000 home — 69.1266 mills versus 64.1844 at each city's lowest homestead rate, using the official 2025 Michigan Treasury millage report.
Do Detroit and Harper Woods share any school districts?
No. Detroit and Harper Woods 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.