Bay City, Bay County, Michigan Property Taxes
Median Bay City, MI effective property tax rate: 1.36%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, but lower than the Michigan state median of 1.07%.
Median Bay City, MI home value: $103,700.
Median annual Bay City, MI tax bill: $1,277, $1,123 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Bay County calculated?
Property taxes in Bay City, MI are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding Bay City’s property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Bay City, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated March 1, 2025
Bay City, Bay County, Michigan Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.46%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,964
$1,822
Property Tax Rates Across Bay City, Bay County, Michigan
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state. Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate. While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process. Below, you can compare Bay City's effective property tax rate to other cities in Michigan and the median property tax rates in Michigan and the U.S.
In Bay City, located in Bay County, the property tax landscape showcases a diverse range of rates. The median property tax rate here is 1.36%, which is above the national median rate of 1.02%. The highest median tax rate in Bay City is 1.55% in the 48708 zip code, while the lowest is 0.89% in the 48706 zip code. These figures highlight the variability within the city itself, underscoring the importance of understanding local property tax dynamics. Comparing these rates to the national median property tax bill of $2400, Bay City's rates can significantly impact homeowners’ annual expenses.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Bay City Tax Rate
1.46%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Bay County Tax Rate
1.43%
Median Effective Michigan Tax Rate
1.05%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Bay City, Bay County, Michigan
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48706 | 1.12% | 1.25% | 1.40% | 1.60% | 1.98% |
| 48708 | 1.27% | 1.42% | 1.56% | 1.86% | 2.19% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Bay City, Bay County, Michigan
When examining property taxes in Bay City, Michigan, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial. The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Bay County Appraisal District estimates the market value for tax purposes. The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices: In Bay County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of March. Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Bay City.
For example, the median home price in Bay City is $103,700, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Zip code 48706 has the highest median home price at $123,400.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Bay City, Bay County, Michigan
Source: Ownwell
$109,900
$167,375
$224,850
Median Bay City Market Value
$134,500
Median Bay County Market Value
$150,000
Median Michigan Market Value
$213,740
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Bay City, Bay County, Michigan
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48706 | $79,800 | $109,000 | $158,400 | $233,200 | $345,700 |
| 48708 | $67,620 | $85,100 | $109,900 | $148,900 | $222,140 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Bay City, Bay County, Michigan
In Bay City, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of the home, which is determined by the local assessor. The assessed value is a percentage of the market value of the property. Homeowners in Bay City typically face a median property tax bill that ranges between $1,254 and $1,308, depending on the zip code. This is below the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Factors such as property location, market conditions, and local tax rates influence the final tax bill. For homeowners, these taxes can significantly impact their annual expenses.
Ownwell offers valuable assistance to homeowners looking to reduce their property tax bills. By leveraging expertise in property tax appeals and exemptions, Ownwell can help ensure that properties are fairly assessed, potentially lowering the tax burden. Our team analyzes individual property data, identifies discrepancies, and navigates the appeals process on behalf of homeowners, aiming to secure a more favorable tax assessment and ultimately save money.
Median Bay City Tax Bill
$2,065
Median Bay County Tax Bill
$2,142
Median Michigan Tax Bill
$2,084
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Bay City, Bay County, Michigan
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48706 | $1,234 | $1,662 | $2,264 | $3,224 | $4,546 |
| 48708 | $1,103 | $1,392 | $1,823 | $2,438 | $3,411 |
Source: Ownwell