Keego Harbor vs Sylvan Lake: property taxes compared
Sylvan Lake is the cheaper of the two. Its lowest homestead rate is 36.0418 mills against Keego Harbor's 40.2912 — about $744 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sylvan Lake | 36.0418–41.9749 | 29 of 52 | $4,505 | $6,307 | $9,010 |
| Keego Harbor | 40.2912 | 40 of 52 | $5,036 | $7,051 | $10,073 |
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 | Keego Harbor | Sylvan Lake | Gap on $350k |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Bloomfield School District | 40.2912 | 41.9749 | $295/yr |
Common questions
Is Keego Harbor or Sylvan Lake cheaper for property taxes?
Sylvan Lake is the cheaper of the two. Its lowest homestead rate is 36.0418 mills against Keego Harbor's 40.2912 — about $744 a year less on a $350,000 home at the uncapped taxable value.
How much more are property taxes in Keego Harbor than Sylvan Lake?
About $744 a year on a $350,000 home — 40.2912 mills versus 36.0418 at each city's lowest homestead rate, using the official 2025 Michigan Treasury millage report.
Do Keego Harbor and Sylvan Lake share any school districts?
Yes — West Bloomfield School District. 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.