Orchard Lake vs White Lake Township: property taxes compared
White Lake Township is the cheaper of the two. Its lowest homestead rate is 28.7703 mills against Orchard Lake's 29.8531 — 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Lake Township | 28.7703–35.1993 | 10 of 52 | $3,596 | $5,035 | $7,193 |
| 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.
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 | Orchard Lake | White Lake Township | Gap on $350k |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walled Lake Consolidated Schools | 29.8531 | 31.5868 | $303/yr |
Common questions
Is Orchard Lake or White Lake Township cheaper for property taxes?
White Lake Township is the cheaper of the two. Its lowest homestead rate is 28.7703 mills against Orchard Lake's 29.8531 — about $189 a year less on a $350,000 home at the uncapped taxable value.
How much more are property taxes in Orchard Lake than White Lake Township?
About $189 a year on a $350,000 home — 29.8531 mills versus 28.7703 at each city's lowest homestead rate, using the official 2025 Michigan Treasury millage report.
Do Orchard Lake and White Lake Township share any school districts?
Yes — Walled Lake Consolidated Schools. 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.