Detroit, MI Property Tax Calculator
Estimate property tax for a home in Detroit, MI. Homes in Detroit are assessed by Wayne County, where the effective property tax rate runs about 1.51% of market value — so a median-priced Detroit home of $85,000 generates roughly $1,284 in annual property tax. Enter your specific home value below for a custom estimate.
Annual Tax
$1,284
1.51% of $85,000
Monthly Tax
$107
Typically escrowed with your mortgage
State Rank
#14 of 51
Highest rate = #1
vs. National Average
Highest property tax states
- New Jersey2.49%
- Illinois2.23%
- New Hampshire2.18%
- Connecticut2.15%
- Vermont1.90%
Lowest property tax states
- Hawaii0.32%
- Alabama0.41%
- Colorado0.55%
- Louisiana0.56%
- District of Columbia0.57%
These are state-level averages. Individual counties and cities can vary significantly — a home in Austin's urban core may have a far higher effective rate than the Texas state average, for example. For the most accurate estimate, get the exact millage rate from your county assessor and override the rate field above.
How to use it
A two-minute guide.
The Home Value field is pre-filled with Detroit's median home value of $85,000. Override with your actual home's market value for a specific estimate — your tax bill scales linearly with home value.
The rate is pre-filled with Wayne County's effective rate of 1.51% — the county-level average for owner-occupied homes, which is more precise than Michigan's statewide average of 1.54%. Individual school districts and special taxing zones within Detroit still shift the exact figure — if you know the rate from your latest tax bill, override it for the most precise estimate.
You'll see your estimated annual property tax, the monthly amount (which is typically escrowed with your mortgage payment), and a comparison to other states.
How it works
The math behind the result.
How Detroit's tax bill works out. Homes in Detroit are assessed and billed through Wayne County. The effective rate there averages about 1.51% of market value — right around Michigan's statewide average. On Detroit's median home value of $85,000, that's approximately $1,284/year, or $107/month when escrowed with your mortgage.
How assessment works in Michigan. Proposal A caps growth in taxable value at inflation or 5%, whichever is less, until a sale 'uncaps' it to the state equalized value (50% of market). Buyers should budget for the post-sale uncapping jump.
Exemptions worth claiming. The Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) removes up to 18 school-operating mills from an owner-occupied home — make sure it's claimed after you buy; a poverty exemption is available through local boards. Exemptions are the most common reason two identical Detroit homes pay different tax bills — make sure yours are on file with Wayne County.
What property tax actually pays for. In Detroit — like the rest of Michigan — property tax funds local schools, public safety (police, fire), road maintenance, parks, libraries, and county government. Most of your bill stays in your county and school district.
Comparing to other states. Effective rates vary enormously across the US — from about 0.3% in Hawaii to nearly 2.5% in New Jersey. Detroit's 1.51% puts it in the upper third nationally.
Questions
Frequently asked.
Buying in Detroit? Estimate your full mortgage payment with our Detroit Mortgage Calculator. Or see how Michigan property tax rates compare across the state with our Michigan Property Tax Calculator.
Nearby & related
Property tax calculators in other cities
Related tools