Orchard Lake vs Orion Township: property taxes compared
Orion Township is the cheaper of the two. Its lowest homestead rate is 29.0657 mills against Orchard Lake's 29.8531 — about $138 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orion Township | 29.0657–44.8431 | 11 of 52 | $3,633 | $5,086 | $7,266 |
| Orchard Lake | 29.8531–33.6967 | 12 of 52 | $3,732 | $5,224 | $7,463 |
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 Orchard Lake or Orion Township cheaper for property taxes?
Orion Township is the cheaper of the two. Its lowest homestead rate is 29.0657 mills against Orchard Lake's 29.8531 — about $138 a year less on a $350,000 home at the uncapped taxable value.
How much more are property taxes in Orchard Lake than Orion Township?
About $138 a year on a $350,000 home — 29.8531 mills versus 29.0657 at each city's lowest homestead rate, using the official 2025 Michigan Treasury millage report.
Do Orchard Lake and Orion Township share any school districts?
No. Orchard Lake and Orion Township 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.