New Jersey residents are paying the highest property taxes in the country, and many might be overpaying without realizing it.
Across the U.S., property tax bills are rising, mainly due to surging home values and shifting local tax policies. The typical homeowner saw their property tax increase by 2.8 percent from 2023 to 2024, with nearly three-quarters of properties hit by higher bills, according to a recent report from Realtor.com. This year, the national median tax bill reached $3,500.
But in the Garden State, that number is nearly triple.
According to Realtor.com’s latest data, New Jersey has the highest median property tax bill in the country at $9,413—far above the national average and ahead of other high-tax states like New Hampshire, Connecticut, and New York. That’s no surprise to many locals who have watched their annual bills climb year after year, often without much explanation.
Property taxes are calculated based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate, both of which can fluctuate. In some towns, home values are reassessed every year, meaning a spike in value can translate into a larger bill, even if you’ve made no changes to your property.
What many homeowners don’t realize, though, is that they have the right to challenge their home’s assessed value. Realtor.com senior economist Joel Berner says more than 40 percent of homeowners could potentially save at least $100 a year by appealing their property assessments—with average savings closer to $500.
With taxes becoming a hot-button issue across the country, some political figures have even proposed eliminating property taxes altogether. Still, for now, New Jersey residents remain at the top of the list when it comes to property tax burdens.
Top 10 States with the Highest Median Property Tax Bills (2024)
- New Jersey – $9,413
- New Hampshire – $7,715
- Connecticut – $6,944
- Washington – $6,338
- New York – $6,096
- Texas – $5,860
- California – $5,248
- Massachusetts – $5,142
- Rhode Island – $5,111
- Washington, D.C. – $5,087
For New Jersey homeowners feeling the pinch, it may be time to review your assessment and consider filing an appeal, especially as home prices continue to climb.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.