Low profile rear tire

Put a much taller rear tire (4.50-18) and my bike sits about an inch higher. Gearing seems taller too. Does anybody know of a good rear knobbly with a low profile like the original Michelin Competition WEC tire had? The new tire made an already too-tall bike even taller. Can anyone suggest a DOT knobby that would suit my needs and not break the bank. Bike is ridden 99% dirt/desert/forest. Some of the pictures of Kenda's TrackMaster II make it appear to have a pretty low sidewall height, but without them right in front of me it's hard to tell. It seems like you don't really know until you have them mounted and inflated. Not looking for a trials tire. TE310R

you need to sight them at a shop. Tyres are not all measured the same way. Some manufacturers measure height to with ratio ie 110:80 across the actual width of the tyre including tread/knobs. Others measure across the carcas(exclusive of the knob).
I prefer a taller tyre as it lessens the chance of a pinch flat and also spreads a little wider for better traction. I use the Michelin Starcross 5 medium at the moment at 15 PSI-bloody great tyre with excellent traction and wear.
If you go lower profile, make sure you get a tyre with a hard side wall (Dunlop 908's fit the bill)

I found the same issue.

My Sedona MX-907hp in 110-100 -18 is pretty low. I run 6# with Tubliss.

110-100 is saying the height is 100% the size of the width. A 110_80 should be lower profile

Yeah, but everyone measures and sizes their tires differently.

if you look at tires on Dennis Kirk site they have detailed specs for most of them. I've found the info to be pretty accurate.
I seem to remember the Mich XC series were smaller in general and had some */80-18 models. Not sure how available those are these days.
The 3 different Maxxis tires I've had were all true to size.