CountyScore

Essex County

New Jersey · NJ

#19 in New Jersey
45.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Essex County, New Jersey

Essex County underperforms nationally

Essex County's composite score of 41.4 falls below the national median of 50.0 by nearly 9 points, placing it in the bottom third of U.S. counties. High housing costs and low incomes create significant livability headwinds despite reasonable taxes.

Below New Jersey's state average

Essex County scores 41.4, trailing New Jersey's state average of 45.0 and ranking in the lower half of the state's 21 counties. It faces steeper challenges than most peers but outperforms the weakest performers in the group.

Tax efficiency offers some relief

Essex County's tax score of 45.4 and effective tax rate of 2.023% represent its strongest dimensions, offering moderate tax relief compared to peers. This helps offset other cost pressures, though it's far from a dominant advantage.

Housing costs and incomes create tension

Essex County's cost score of 40.4 and income score of 33.5 are significant drags: median home values around $494,400 are among the highest, yet median household income of $76,712 is among the lowest in this group. Safety, health, and school data remain unavailable, limiting full clarity on livability.

For those willing to accept trade-offs

Essex County suits urban-oriented residents who value access and community over affordability and can tolerate expensive housing on modest incomes. It's least suitable for families seeking good value or those with limited budgets.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax45.4Cost40.4SafetyComing SoonHealth71.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome33.5Risk2.3WaterComing Soon
🏛45.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠40.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼33.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡2.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Essex County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Union County
New Jersey
46.5
Median income: $100,117
Camden County
New Jersey
44.9
Median income: $86,384
Hudson County
New Jersey
46.8
Median income: $90,032
Passaic County
New Jersey
44.4
Median income: $87,137
Mercer County
New Jersey
47.8
Median income: $96,333

Deep Dives

Essex County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Essex County

via TaxByCounty

Essex taxes below national median

Essex County's effective tax rate of 2.023% sits above the national median of 1.56% but remains moderate for the Northeast. With median homes valued at $494,400, residents pay $10,001 annually—representing one of the state's more expensive tax bills despite a below-average rate.

Lower-taxed county in New Jersey

Essex County ranks in the lower half of New Jersey's 21 counties by effective rate at 2.023%, below the state average of 2.211%. This efficiency, combined with Newark's urban amenities and suburban access, makes Essex attractive despite the high absolute tax bills.

Efficiently taxed for the region

Essex's 2.023% rate outperforms nearby Bergen (1.686%) slightly and trails Atlantic (2.475%), but delivers better efficiency than higher-burden counties. For a high-value urban county, Essex's rate is competitive within the North Jersey landscape.

Premium properties, efficient taxes

An Essex County homeowner with the median home value of $494,400 pays $10,001 annually in property taxes. This works out to roughly $833 monthly—a substantial obligation, but notably efficient for such expensive urban and near-urban real estate.

High values make appeals worthwhile

On $494,000+ homes, even a 1% assessment reduction yields thousands in savings—making property tax appeals especially valuable in Essex County. Many high-value homeowners in Newark and surrounding areas have successfully challenged assessments, recouping significant annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Essex County

via CostByCounty

Essex County rent burden outpaces national standard

Essex County residents spend 22.8% of household income on rent, significantly above the national average of 18.5%. Despite that, the county's median household income of $76,712 slightly exceeds the national median of $74,755—indicating that Essex's high-cost housing absorbs a disproportionate share of already-modest incomes.

Essex ranks among New Jersey's least affordable counties

With a 22.8% rent-to-income ratio, Essex County trails only Cumberland (23.3%) among New Jersey's least affordable counties, well above the state average of 19.1%. The county's $1,459 median rent reflects the urban and suburban density of the Newark metro area.

Renters suffer; homeowners face extreme burdens

Essex County's $1,459 rent sits $314 higher than Atlantic County's $1,325, yet Essex household income runs $65 lower—a combination that pushes renters into the state's worst affordability ratios. Homeowners face even steeper pressure: Essex's $2,710 monthly ownership cost is more than double many neighboring counties' rates.

Homeownership in Essex: prohibitively expensive relative to income

Essex renters spend $1,459 monthly (22.8% of income) while homeowners pay a staggering $2,710 (42.3% of income), revealing a homeownership penalty rare among New Jersey counties. The $494,400 median home value and high property taxes place ownership far beyond reach for typical Essex households.

Essex offers urban access; renters only, buyers beware

If you must live in the Newark metro area and earn average incomes, Essex County rental apartments offer proximity to jobs—but budget accordingly at 22.8% of income. Prospective homebuyers should explore Bergen, Burlington, or Gloucester counties instead; Essex's median home prices ($494,400) consume over 77 months of median household income.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Essex County

via IncomeByCounty

Essex matches national income, below potential

Essex County's median household income of $76,712 nearly matches the national median of $74,755, indicating average U.S. earning power. However, Essex's urban density and proximity to New York City suggest income potential exceeding this baseline, indicating economic underperformance relative to geography.

Below state average despite urban advantages

Essex's $76,712 income trails New Jersey's state average of $100,891 by $24,179, reflecting the county's concentrations of lower-wage urban employment. Despite housing major employment centers and dense professional networks, Essex lags affluent suburban counties by substantial margins.

Underperforms Atlantic, trails Burlington significantly

Essex's $76,712 median nearly matches Atlantic ($76,819) but substantially trails Burlington ($105,271) and Gloucester ($102,807). The gap highlights how urban density does not automatically translate to higher median incomes—employment sector composition matters more than geography alone.

High housing costs strain affordability

Essex's 22.8% rent-to-income ratio is among the state's highest, reflecting expensive urban housing and lower incomes combining to create tight budgets. The median home value of $494,400 represents 6.4 years of gross household income—making homeownership out of reach for many Essex families without substantial assistance.

Focus on income growth and cost control

Essex households should prioritize career advancement, professional certifications, and higher-wage sector employment to improve income trajectories. Simultaneously, cutting housing costs through roommates, relocation, or shared ownership models preserves capital for retirement and long-term wealth building.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Essex County

via HealthByCounty

Essex County slightly above U.S. average

At 77.7 years, Essex County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 76.1 by 1.6 years but falls 0.8 years below New Jersey's 78.5-year state average. With 16.5% reporting poor or fair health—matching Atlantic County—the county sits above national but below state wellness benchmarks.

Slightly below-average health rank

Essex County ranks in the middle-to-lower tier of New Jersey counties for life expectancy at 77.7 years, 0.8 years below the state average. Its 16.5% poor/fair health rate reflects socioeconomic diversity and health disparities across its urban and suburban communities.

Behind more prosperous counties

Essex County's 77.7-year life expectancy trails Bergen County (81.9) and Burlington County (78.9) but exceeds Atlantic County (75.7) and Camden County (76.2). With 75 primary care providers and 283 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, Essex offers moderate but not exceptional healthcare density.

Over 1 in 10 lack health insurance

An estimated 10.6% of Essex County residents are uninsured—the highest rate in New Jersey and 3.1 points above the state average—affecting roughly 99,000 people. With 75 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, coverage gaps compound existing access challenges in this diverse county.

Find coverage that fits your needs

If you're uninsured in Essex County, NJ's marketplace offers affordable plans with income-based subsidies available year-round. Call 1-855-877-NJ-HELP or visit NJ.gov/HealthCoverage to enroll in a plan today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Essex County

via RiskByCounty

Essex County faces relatively high risk

Essex County registers a composite risk score of 97.71, placing it well above the national average and earning a relatively high overall disaster risk rating. This score reflects acute vulnerability across multiple significant hazard categories.

Essex County: second-highest in New Jersey

At 97.71, Essex County ranks second only to Bergen County (97.84) among all New Jersey counties in composite risk exposure, sitting far above the state average of 90.81. This positioning reflects serious multi-hazard vulnerability across the county.

Essex nearly matches Bergen's risk

Essex County (97.71) and Bergen County (97.84) form a high-risk duo in northern New Jersey, substantially outpacing all other nearby counties. Both share extreme flood risk and high tornado vulnerability, though Essex has negligible wildfire risk (10.59) compared to broader state patterns.

Essex's critical hazard profile

Flood risk peaks at 98.82, making Essex one of New Jersey's most flood-vulnerable counties, followed closely by tornado risk at 94.91. Earthquake risk (95.64) and hurricane risk (91.82) also pose significant threats across the county's urban and suburban landscape.

Comprehensive coverage for Essex

Flood insurance is essential in Essex County given the 98.82 flood risk score; this coverage must be obtained separately through NFIP or private insurers. Additionally, ensure your homeowners policy includes tornado and earthquake coverage, as these are frequently excluded or limited in standard plans.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.