Fraser vs Saint Clair Shores: property taxes compared
Fraser is the cheaper of the two. Its lowest homestead rate is 46.5688 mills against Saint Clair Shores's 47.6075 — about $182 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fraser | 46.5688 | 18 of 24 | $5,821 | $8,150 | $11,642 |
| Saint Clair Shores | 47.6075–50.1591 | 19 of 24 | $5,951 | $8,331 | $11,902 |
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 $1,818 at today's rates on a $350,000 home — before any millage change. At $250,000 the annual difference is $130; at $500,000 it is $260. 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 Saint Clair Shores alone the homestead rate runs 47.6075 to 50.1591 mills — a $447 annual swing on a $350,000 home, wider than the $182 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 Fraser or Saint Clair Shores cheaper for property taxes?
Fraser is the cheaper of the two. Its lowest homestead rate is 46.5688 mills against Saint Clair Shores's 47.6075 — about $182 a year less on a $350,000 home at the uncapped taxable value.
How much more are property taxes in Saint Clair Shores than Fraser?
About $182 a year on a $350,000 home — 47.6075 mills versus 46.5688 at each city's lowest homestead rate, using the official 2025 Michigan Treasury millage report.
Do Fraser and Saint Clair Shores share any school districts?
No. Fraser and Saint Clair Shores 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.