Essex County, NJ vs Santa Cruz County, CA
Property Tax Rate Comparison 2025
Quick Answer
Essex County, NJ: 2.86% effective rate · $9,915/yr median tax · median home $346,696
Santa Cruz County, CA: 0.65% effective rate · $5,156/yr median tax · median home $793,316
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Essex County, NJ | Santa Cruz County, CA | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effective Tax Rate | 2.86% | 0.65% | 1.06% |
| Median Annual Tax | $9,915 | $5,156 | $2,778 |
| Median Home Value | $346,696 | $793,316 | $268,728 |
| Population | 799,767 | 270,861 | — |
Essex County, NJ
- Effective Rate
- 2.86%
- Median Annual Tax
- $9,915
- Median Home Value
- $346,696
- Population
- 799,767
Santa Cruz County, CA
- Effective Rate
- 0.65%
- Median Annual Tax
- $5,156
- Median Home Value
- $793,316
- Population
- 270,861
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the property tax difference between Essex County and Santa Cruz County?
Essex County, NJ has an effective property tax rate of 2.86% with a median annual tax of $9,915. Santa Cruz County, CA has a rate of 0.65% with a median annual tax of $5,156. The difference is 2.21 percentage points.
Which county has higher property taxes, Essex County or Santa Cruz County?
Essex County, NJ has the higher effective property tax rate at 2.86% compared to 0.65%.
How do Essex County and Santa Cruz County compare to the national average?
The national average effective property tax rate is 1.06%. Essex County is above average at 2.86%, and Santa Cruz County is below average at 0.65%.