Essex County, New Jersey home prices
Typical home $658,593 · +3.8% in a year · property tax 1.91%
The typical home in Essex County is worth $658,593, 15% more than the New Jersey typical home ($575,123). Values changed +3.8% in the past year and +32.5% over five years. Homeowners here pay a median 1.91% of their home's value in property tax each year ($12,567 on the typical home), versus 1.82% statewide.
Mortgage on the typical Essex County home
| Down payment | Cash down | Loan | Principal + interest | PMI / MIP | Tax + insurance | Total / month | Income needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20% down | $131,719 | $526,874 | $3,544 | $0 | $1,377 | $4,921 | $210,900 |
| 10% down | $65,859 | $592,734 | $3,987 | $247 | $1,377 | $5,611 | $240,500 |
| 5% down | $32,930 | $625,663 | $4,209 | $261 | $1,377 | $5,846 | $250,500 |
| 3.5% down (FHA) | $23,051 | $646,664 | $4,350 | $291 | $1,377 | $6,018 | $257,900 |
Assumes a 30-year fixed loan at 7.11%, property tax of 1.91% of the home value a year, homeowners insurance of 0.6% a year, PMI of 0.5% of the loan a year when the down payment is under 20%, and FHA mortgage insurance of 0.55% a year plus a 1.75% upfront premium added to the loan. Your rate, taxes and insurance will differ.
What it takes: see what you can afford by salary in New Jersey · part of the New York metro area.
New Jersey counties with similar prices
| County | Typical home | 1-yr change | Tax rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset County | $656,346 | +2.7% | 1.81% |
| Hudson County | $636,059 | +1.5% | 1.77% |
| Union County | $627,890 | +2.3% | 1.89% |
| Hunterdon County | $627,345 | +3.0% | 1.93% |
| Morris County | $701,797 | +3.9% | 1.72% |
| Passaic County | $597,668 | +4.5% | 2.18% |
| Middlesex County | $579,852 | +3.1% | 2.1% |
| Ocean County | $551,299 | +4.8% | 1.65% |
| Bergen County | $780,357 | +7.1% | 1.61% |
| Monmouth County | $786,951 | +7.2% | 1.65% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average home price in Essex County, NJ?
The typical home value in Essex County is $658,593 (Zillow Home Value Index, September 2026).
How much do you need to earn to buy a house in Essex County?
About $210,900 a year for the typical home with 20% down at a 7.11% 30-year rate.
What is the property tax rate in Essex County?
The median effective rate is 1.91% of home value a year (Census ACS 2024 5-year estimates).