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.