Chelsea, Washtenaw County, Michigan Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Chelsea, Michigan
Median Chelsea, Michigan effective property tax rate: 1.36%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the Michigan state median of 1.05%.
Median Chelsea, Michigan home value: $359,500
Median annual Chelsea, Michigan tax bill: $5,035, $2,635 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Washtenaw calculated?
Property taxes in Chelsea, Michigan 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 Chelsea's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Chelsea, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Chelsea, Washtenaw County, Michigan Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.36%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$4,889
$4,537
How Does the Chelsea Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Chelsea property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Chelsea's median effective tax rate of 1.36% — based on actual property records in Washtenaw County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Chelsea's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Chelsea's median effective tax rate is higher than Michigan's 1.05% median rate, and the median property tax bill is $5,035, which is $2,635 higher than the state median bill. Rates in Chelsea are consistent by ZIP code, with both the highest and lowest median tax bill at $5,035 in 48118.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Chelsea.
About Chelsea Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Chelsea, Washtenaw, Michigan
Chelsea’s median effective property tax rate of 1.36% is higher than the Michigan state median of 1.05% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Washtenaw County base levy combined with local school district levies and tax increment finance districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Chelsea. Homeowners in the 48118 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.36%, while those in the lowest ZIP code also pay 1.36%. This spread reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Washtenaw County.
Chelsea homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Tax Assessor before the March 9, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Chelsea, Washtenaw 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 Chelsea's effective property tax rate to other cities in Michigan and the median property tax rates in Michigan and the U.S.
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 Chelsea Tax Rate
1.36%
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 Washtenaw County Tax Rate
1.44%
Median Effective Michigan Tax Rate
1.05%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Chelsea, Washtenaw County, Michigan
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48118 | 0.97% | 1.11% | 1.36% | 1.67% | 2.03% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Chelsea, Washtenaw County, Michigan
When examining property taxes in Chelsea, 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 Washtenaw County assessor 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 Washtenaw County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of spring.
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 Chelsea.
For example, the median home price in Chelsea is $359,500, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 48118 has the highest median home price at $359,500.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Chelsea, Washtenaw County, Michigan
Source: Ownwell
$192,400
$636,800
$1,081,200
Median Chelsea Market Value
$359,500
Median Washtenaw County Market Value
$374,000
Median Michigan Market Value
$213,740
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Chelsea, Washtenaw County, Michigan
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48118 | $192,440 | $271,800 | $359,500 | $478,100 | $640,280 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Chelsea, Washtenaw County, Michigan
Chelsea property tax bills are calculated by applying the local tax rate to a home’s assessed value, which is based on the market value of the property. For homeowners in Chelsea, the size of the bill depends on how the home is valued and the tax rates set by local taxing authorities in Washtenaw County.
With a median home price of $359,500, property taxes can represent a significant annual cost. The tax bill is influenced by factors such as the home’s assessed value, local millage rates, and any exemptions or special assessments that may apply. In Chelsea, the median property tax bill is $5,035, which is above the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
For many homeowners, this means property taxes are a major part of the cost of owning a home. Bills at the 25th percentile are $3,867, while bills at the 75th percentile reach $6,605, and the 90th percentile climbs to $8,297.
Median Chelsea Tax Bill
$5,035
Median Washtenaw County Tax Bill
$5,801
Median Michigan Tax Bill
$2,084
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Chelsea, Washtenaw County, Michigan
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48118 | $2,926 | $3,867 | $5,035 | $6,605 | $8,297 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | March 9 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Washtenaw Tax Assessor | |
| Website | secure4.ewashtenaw.org |