Essex County, NJ Property Taxes (2026)

Essex County owners pay a median of $10,001 a year on a median home value of $494,400, an effective rate of 2.02%. That's the 13th-highest rate of 21 New Jersey counties with Census data, below the New Jersey county median of 2.20%.

Updated October 2026 · Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023)

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Effective tax rate

2.02%

13th highest of 21 in NJ

Median annual bill

$10,001

~$833/month

Median home value

$494,400

New Jersey county median

2.20%

Effective rate

What a protest could save you in Essex County

Enter the market value from your appraisal notice. We apply Essex County's 2.02% effective rate and a 10–15% reduction, the typical range for successful protests.

$
Est. annual tax
$9,987
Savings at 10–15% off
$999–$1,498
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Essex County vs. New Jersey vs. U.S. property tax rates

Essex County2.02%
New Jersey county median2.20%
U.S. county median0.84%

Key stat: Essex County's effective property tax rate is 2.02%, vs. 2.20% for the median New Jersey county and 0.84% for the median U.S. county. It ranks 13th of 21 in New Jersey. Effective rate = median tax bill ÷ median home value, so it already reflects typical exemptions. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023))

How to appeal your property taxes in Essex County

  1. 1

    Review your assessment notice

    Check the assessed value from the Essex County Tax Board. Compare it to recent sales of similar homes nearby.

  2. 2

    File your appeal before the deadline

    The Essex County deadline is April 1 or May 1. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment year.

  3. 3

    Gather evidence

    Recent comparable sales, photos of condition issues, repair estimates or an independent appraisal.

  4. 4

    Present your case

    Submit evidence or attend a hearing with the County Tax Board.

  5. 5

    Get your decision

    If you win, your assessed value and bill go down. On a $10,001 bill, 10–15% off is $1000–$1500 a year.

Essex County property tax appeal guide →

Want help with it?

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Property tax exemptions in New Jersey

New Jersey homeowners may qualify for exemptions that reduce taxable value. Check with the Essex County Tax Board for amounts.

Homestead exemption

For your primary residence. Reduces the value used to calculate your bill.

Senior / over-65

Many states add an exemption or freeze for owners 65 and older.

Disability

For homeowners with qualifying disabilities, often similar to the over-65 benefit.

Veterans

Disabled veterans may get partial or full exemptions depending on rating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Essex County, New Jersey?
The median effective property tax rate in Essex County is 2.02%: a median annual bill of $10,001 on a median home value of $494,400. That's the 13th-highest rate of 21 New Jersey counties with Census data. Your own rate depends on which city, school district and special districts you're in. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023).
How much are property taxes in Essex County?
The median Essex County property tax bill is $10,001 a year, about $833 a month, compared with a New Jersey county median of $8,804.
What is the deadline to appeal property taxes in Essex County?
The deadline to appeal in Essex County is April 1 or May 1. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment cycle.
Is Essex County a high property tax area?
Essex County's 2.02% effective rate is below the New Jersey county median of 2.20% and above the U.S. county median of 0.84%. That's the 13th-highest rate of 21 New Jersey counties with Census data.
Can TaxDrop help lower my Essex County property taxes?
TaxDrop analyzes your property against local comparable sales and helps you appeal your assessment. See www.taxdrop.com/property-tax-appeal-pricing for current pricing.

Property taxes in nearby counties

Union County

Rate: 2.05%

Median bill: $10,001

Hudson County

Rate: 1.85%

Median bill: $9,413

Bergen County

Rate: 1.69%

Median bill: $10,001

Morris County

Rate: 1.80%

Median bill: $10,001

Passaic County

Rate: 2.28%

Median bill: $10,001

Somerset County

Rate: 1.91%

Median bill: $10,001

Middlesex County

Rate: 2.20%

Median bill: $9,684

Sussex County

Rate: 2.47%

Median bill: $8,462

← All 21 New Jersey counties

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