If you live in New Jersey, you probably already know that New Jersey property taxes are right up there with traffic on the Parkway and grabbing coffee at Wawa as part of everyday life. Lately, though, those New Jersey property taxes have been hitting new heights, and a small group of towns now has average tax bills that are truly eye-popping. So pour yourself a hot cup of coffee, get cozy, and let’s walk through the 23 New Jersey municipalities where the typical homeowner pays more than $20,000 a year in New Jersey property taxes—and what that might mean for you.
New Jersey Property Taxes Hit A New Record
Across the state, New Jersey property taxes reached a record high last year, with the average bill coming in at just over $10,000. That statewide average has now firmly settled into five-figure territory, and it continues to creep up year after year. According to data compiled from state reports, New Jersey property taxes increased again based on the latest information from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, putting more pressure on homeowners from north to south. A big portion of these New Jersey property taxes goes to fund local schools, police and fire protection, and municipal services, which helps explain why some communities are in such high demand despite the cost.
If you want to dive deeper into the official numbers, the state maintains detailed property tax tables and town-by-town breakdowns that you can browse online. You can also look up where your town ranks compared to others using interactive maps and charts that track New Jersey property taxes over time. It’s a handy way to see whether your bill is above, below, or right on par with the state average—though maybe don’t do this right before your morning commute unless your coffee is extra strong.
Where New Jersey Property Taxes Are Highest
While the typical homeowner in New Jersey pays a little over $10,000, there is a fairly exclusive group of 23 municipalities where New Jersey property taxes are more than double that amount. In these towns, the average bill tops $20,000 per year, and in one case climbs close to $40,000. Most of these high-tax communities are clustered in some of the wealthiest corners of North Jersey, particularly in Bergen and Essex counties, which also rank among the highest counties in the state for average tax bills.
These areas tend to combine strong school districts, well-maintained neighborhoods, and higher home values, which all play a role in driving New Jersey property taxes higher. For many buyers, especially those commuting into major job centers, the combination of location and amenities still makes these towns attractive despite the higher New Jersey property taxes. At the same time, first-time buyers or those on tighter budgets often find that exploring other parts of the state gives them more breathing room on both price and annual tax bills.
The Tiny Borough With The Biggest Bill
At the very top of the list sits Tavistock, a tiny borough in Camden County that feels more like a trivia answer than a typical New Jersey town. Tavistock only has a handful of homes—just three, according to recent reports—and yet it claims the highest average New Jersey property taxes in the entire state. The average bill there is more than $38,000 a year, putting it well ahead of every other municipality on the list and more than tripling the statewide average.
Tavistock’s story is unusual: it was created decades ago as a way to get around restrictions on Sunday golfing, and all of the homeowners must belong to the local country club. That setup makes Tavistock more of a special case than a model for what most buyers will encounter when they shop for homes in New Jersey. Still, it’s a vivid example of just how high New Jersey property taxes can go in specific, highly unique situations.
High-Tax Towns Across North Jersey And Beyond
Just below Tavistock are a number of well-known suburban communities where New Jersey property taxes regularly cross that $20,000 mark. Towns in Bergen County, such as Glen Rock, Cresskill, Upper Saddle River, Saddle River, Ridgewood, Woodcliff Lake, Franklin Lakes, Haworth, Alpine, Tenafly, and Demarest, all appear in this high-tax tier, reflecting both strong demand and elevated home values. Many of these places are popular with commuters looking for access to New York City or major corporate hubs, which keeps property values—and therefore New Jersey property taxes—on the higher side.
Essex County is also prominently represented, with towns like Essex Fells, Montclair, South Orange, and Glen Ridge landing on the list. These communities offer a mix of historic homes, vibrant downtowns, and well-regarded schools, which makes them especially appealing to buyers who want character and convenience. Outside of those two counties, high New Jersey property taxes also show up in places like Princeton in Mercer County, Mountain Lakes and Mendham Township in Morris County, Mantoloking in Ocean County, and Rumson and Deal in Monmouth County. Each of these towns has its own unique lifestyle and price point, but they all share one thing in common: New Jersey property taxes that are significantly above the already steep state average.
If you want to see exactly where each town ranks and how its average bill has changed year over year, there are public tools that break down New Jersey property taxes by municipality, including changes from the prior year. This can be especially helpful if you’re comparing several towns and want to understand the trend as well as the current number.
What These Numbers Mean For Homeowners And Buyers
For homeowners already living in these communities, high New Jersey property taxes are often a trade-off for certain benefits, like top-rated schools, local amenities, and strong resale demand. The annual tax bill becomes part of the overall cost of staying in the neighborhood, and it can influence decisions about whether to renovate, move up to a larger home, or downsize. When New Jersey property taxes rise faster than income, some long-time residents may find themselves rethinking their timelines or looking at nearby towns with slightly lower costs.
For buyers, New Jersey property taxes should be just as important to review as the purchase price and interest rate. That big annual number gets folded into your monthly housing payment through your mortgage escrow or through separate payments if you own your home outright. A town with higher New Jersey property taxes might still make sense if it offers exactly what you want in terms of schools, commute, and lifestyle—but it is crucial to understand the full financial picture before making an offer. Even small differences between towns can add up over time, especially when you multiply the annual tax bill over the years you plan to live in the home.
Making Sense Of New Jersey Property Taxes For Your Next Move
New Jersey is consistently ranked among the states with the highest property taxes in the country, which means that no matter where you look, New Jersey property taxes will be a key part of your decision-making process. The good news is that there is a wide range of options, from ultra-high-tax towns with very high price points to more moderately taxed communities that still offer a great quality of life. Your job is to find the balance that works for your budget, your lifestyle, and your long-term plans, whether that’s living close to the Shore, prioritizing a certain school district, or staying within a specific commute radius.
A practical first step is to use official state resources to look up New Jersey property taxes in any town you are considering, then talk with a lender or financial professional about how those taxes will affect your monthly payment. From there, you can compare a few different towns side by side to see which ones give you the best mix of affordability and lifestyle benefits. It’s a bit like choosing between your favorite coffee spots: they might all serve great coffee, but each one has a slightly different vibe, price point, and experience.
Ready To Tackle New Jersey Property Taxes Together?
If you’re sitting there with your coffee, wondering where your town fits into this New Jersey property taxes story, you’re definitely not the only one. I spend a lot of time helping buyers and sellers understand how these numbers translate into real life—what they mean for your budget, your search area, and your long-term comfort level. Whether you’re drawn to Monmouth County, curious about another part of the state, or simply trying to make sense of your current bill, it helps to have someone local walk you through it.
You can always start by checking the official property tax data published by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, and then we can sit down, compare towns, and talk about which options match your goals. In a state where New Jersey property taxes are such a big part of the cost of homeownership, having a local guide can make the whole process feel less overwhelming—and maybe even a little more enjoyable, especially if we’re doing it over a good cup of coffee.
💬 Let’s Make Your Real Estate Goals Happen
Hi, I’m Cori Dunphy, your trusted Monmouth County real estate expert and lifelong New Jersey resident. With over 24 years of helping buyers and sellers across the Garden State, I bring deep local knowledge, sharp market insight, and a lot of heart to every client experience.
Whether buying your first home, upsizing, downsizing, or simply exploring your options, I’m here to guide you honestly, clearly, and confidently — every step of the way.
🔗 Enjoyed this blog? Browse more articles HERE
🏡 Let’s connect and get started:
📞 Call or Text: 732-213-0325
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: www.CoriSellsNJ.com
📲 Follow Me for More Tips, Homes & Local Highlights:
🔖 Let’s turn your real estate dreams into a done deal. I’m just a call, click, or DM away.
#CoriSellsNJ #ListedByCori #SoldByCori #CoriKnowsNJ #HomesByCoriDunphy #YourMonmouthCountyRealtor #REMAXWithCori #BuyWithCori #SellWithCori #CoriCoversNJ #CoriGetsItClosed #CoriSellsTheJerseyShore #FirstTimeBuyerHelp #TopDollarWithCori #CoriSellsMarlboroNJ #MonmouthCountyRealEstate
