Farmington Hills vs Pontiac: property taxes compared
Pontiac is the cheaper of the two. Its lowest homestead rate is 38.3748 mills against Farmington Hills's 39.4568 — about $189 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pontiac | 38.3748 | 37 of 52 | $4,797 | $6,716 | $9,594 |
| Farmington Hills | 39.4568–42.8732 | 38 of 52 | $4,932 | $6,905 | $9,864 |
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.
What the difference costs over time
Held for 10 years, that gap compounds to $1,894 at today's rates on a $350,000 home — before any millage change. At $250,000 the annual difference is $135; at $500,000 it is $271. 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 Farmington Hills alone the homestead rate runs 39.4568 to 42.8732 mills — a $598 annual swing on a $350,000 home, wider than the $189 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 Farmington Hills or Pontiac cheaper for property taxes?
Pontiac is the cheaper of the two. Its lowest homestead rate is 38.3748 mills against Farmington Hills's 39.4568 — about $189 a year less on a $350,000 home at the uncapped taxable value.
How much more are property taxes in Farmington Hills than Pontiac?
About $189 a year on a $350,000 home — 39.4568 mills versus 38.3748 at each city's lowest homestead rate, using the official 2025 Michigan Treasury millage report.
Do Farmington Hills and Pontiac share any school districts?
No. Farmington Hills and Pontiac 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.