Panama City vs Springfield vs Lynn Haven vs Callaway: taxes, schools

Last checked Oct. 10, 2026. Sources: the Bay County Tax Collector’s 2025 millage rates, the Florida Department of Education’s 2026 school grades, Bay County’s school attendance zone maps, the Zillow Home Value Index, the Census Bureau’s 2020-2024 American Community Survey and each city’s website.

Panama City shares Bay County with three cities close enough that many households compare them: Springfield, about 3 1/2 miles from the center of Panama City, Lynn Haven, about 5 miles north, and Callaway, about 8 miles east. Upper Grand Lagoon is nearer than Lynn Haven but is not a city, so it is not compared here. All four share one county government and one school district, Bay District Schools, so the differences come from city taxes, city services and which schools an address is zoned for.

What this means for you

• City tax rates differ by more than 2 mills. On 2025 bills, Callaway’s city rate was 2.75 mills and Springfield’s 4.865; Panama City’s was 4.7999.
• High schools differ. Lynn Haven is zoned for Mosley High (A in 2026); Springfield and Callaway for Rutherford High (C); most of Panama City’s older neighborhoods for Bay High (C).
• Check the city limits. A “Panama City” mailing address can be in any of these cities or in unincorporated Bay County.

Property taxes

Each city sets its own operating rate. Everyone in the four cities also pays the same county, school and water management district rates. From the Bay County Tax Collector’s 2025 millage table, in mills (dollars per $1,000 of taxable value):

The shared rates are Bay County general, 5.4362; school required local effort, 3.0630; school discretionary, 2.2480; and Northwest Florida Water Management District, 0.0218. Panama City’s Downtown Improvement District adds 3.0000 mills for property inside it. Panama City adopted the same 4.7999 mills for 2026 on Sept. 22. The tax collector’s table we checked shows 2025 rates, the latest year available for all four cities.

City tax rates

Rates are not the whole bill. Cities can add flat non-ad valorem assessments. Panama City’s fire services assessment, for example, is $300 a year per non-homestead dwelling unit and $150 for a homestead, according to the city’s explainer. Homestead and other exemptions are applied for through the Bay County Property Appraiser in all four cities. Your TRIM notice in August lists every rate and assessment on your parcel. More in our property taxes guide.

Schools

All four cities are in Bay District Schools. Zones from Bay County’s school attendance zone maps, checked at several points in each city; grades and graduation rates from the state’s 2026 school grades:

Rutherford High is inside Springfield’s city limits and serves grades 6 to 12. Panama City’s northern and eastern edges can fall in other zones, so check any address with the district’s School Zone and Bus Route search. See our schools guide and neighborhoods guide.

Home values

From the Zillow Home Value Index, a modeled typical value for the middle third of homes in each city, not a sale price:

For Panama City’s values over 10 years, see our home prices guide.

People, income and commute

From the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020-2024 five-year estimates (tables DP03, DP04 and DP05), with each city’s QuickFacts page linked:

The Census median home value is what owners estimate their homes are worth, so it differs from Zillow’s index.

City services

Each city runs its own services. From each city’s website:

• Panama City: the Panama City Police Department, the city Fire Department and the city’s Environmental Services Division, which collects garbage from blue roll-out carts weekly. See our trash and recycling guide.
• Lynn Haven: the city’s Police Department and Fire Department, and city garbage service with city-issued carts; Public Works answers at 850-265-5989.
• Callaway: the city’s Fire Department and Solid Waste Division, with weekly pickup. The city’s departments page lists no police department.
• Springfield: the city’s website did not load when we checked on Oct. 10, 2026, so its services are not listed here.

How to check an address

• Which city is it in? Look up the parcel in the Bay County Property Appraiser’s property search; the record shows its taxing district.
• Which schools? Use the district’s School Zone and Bus Route search or call Student Services at 850-767-4328.
• What will the taxes be? Try the property appraiser’s tax estimator, and remember that a purchase resets the assessed value.

Frequently asked questions

Which has lower property taxes, Panama City or Lynn Haven?

On 2025 Bay County bills, Lynn Haven’s city rate was 4.05 mills and Panama City’s was 4.7999 mills. Both cities share the same county, school and water management rates, which added 10.769 mills.

What is the city tax rate in Callaway, Florida?

2.75 mills on 2025 Bay County tax bills, according to the Bay County Tax Collector, the lowest city rate of the four cities in this comparison.

What high school serves Lynn Haven?

A. Crawford Mosley High, which earned an A in Florida’s 2026 school grades. Springfield and Callaway are zoned for Rutherford High, and most of Panama City’s older neighborhoods for Bay High; both earned a C.

What is the typical home value in Lynn Haven, Callaway and Springfield?

In August 2026, according to the Zillow Home Value Index: Lynn Haven $327,447, Panama City $284,369, Callaway $266,423 and Springfield $217,654.