What Are Property Taxes Like in Bergen County NJ?

If you're moving to Bergen County from out of state — or even from another part of New Jersey — property taxes are probably the single line item that catches you off guard. New Jersey consistently has the highest property taxes in the nation, and Bergen County sits near the top of that list. Understanding what you'll actually pay, before you fall in love with a house, is one of the most important things you can do as a buyer.

How Bergen County Compares

Here's the big picture:

• Bergen County average effective tax rate: approximately 2.73% of assessed home value
• New Jersey state average effective tax rate: 2.23%
• National median effective tax rate: 1.02%

Bergen County's rate is roughly 2.7 times the national average. That means on a $600,000 home, you're looking at approximately $16,400 per year in property taxes — or about $1,365 per month on top of your mortgage payment.

The median annual property tax bill in Bergen County is approximately $11,253. That's a real number that every buyer should factor into their monthly budget from day one. For a full breakdown of what your total monthly budget looks like, see our cost of living guide.

The Highest Tax Towns in Bergen County

Tax bills vary dramatically by municipality. Here are the towns with the highest average annual property tax bills as of 2025:

• Demarest: ~$26,108 average annual bill
• Tenafly: ~$25,123 average annual bill
• Alpine: ~$23,291 average annual bill (though Alpine's effective rate is the lowest in the county at 0.94%, because home values are so high)
• Ridgewood: ~$20,370 average annual bill
• Haworth: ~$20,090 average annual bill

These towns also tend to have the strongest school districts and the highest home values. In most cases, you're paying more because you're getting more — better schools, more services, and a premium address. But you should go in with your eyes open.

The Most Affordable Tax Towns

On the other end of the spectrum, some Bergen County towns have significantly lower tax bills:

• Teterboro: ~$1,937–$4,150 average (the borough is largely commercial/industrial, which skews the numbers)
• Moonachie: Among the lowest average bills in the county
• Hackensack: Lower average bills, particularly in the denser multi-family areas
• Carlstadt, Hasbrouck Heights, Maywood: Generally more moderate tax bills compared to the northern and western corridor towns

The caveat: lower taxes don't always mean "better value." Some of these towns have lower tax rates because they have smaller school districts, fewer municipal services, or a higher proportion of commercial and industrial property on the tax rolls. Always compare what you're getting, not just what you're paying.

Why NJ Taxes Are So High

A quick explanation for anyone new to the area. New Jersey funds its public schools primarily through local property taxes rather than state income tax or sales tax revenue. That means your property tax bill isn't just funding roads and garbage pickup — it's funding your local school district, county services, and municipal operations.

Bergen County's school districts are among the best in the state — and the nation. Towns like Tenafly, Ridgewood, Englewood Cliffs, and Franklin Lakes consistently rank in the top percentiles statewide. That quality comes at a price, and the price shows up in your property tax bill.

What You Can Do About It

There are practical ways to manage your tax burden:

• File a tax appeal: If your home's assessed value exceeds its market value, you can appeal to the Bergen County Board of Taxation. This is common after market corrections, and a successful appeal can save you thousands per year.
• Claim veteran or senior exemptions: New Jersey offers property tax deductions for qualifying veterans, seniors, and disabled residents. The amounts vary by municipality, but they can meaningfully reduce your annual bill.
• Consider your town carefully: The difference between a $12,000 annual tax bill and a $22,000 annual tax bill is $833 per month. That's a significant factor in what you can actually afford. See our affordability guide for a framework.
• Factor taxes into your offer: In a seller's market, buyers sometimes stretch to hit a price point and forget to budget for the tax bill. Make sure your total monthly payment — mortgage, taxes, and insurance — fits your budget comfortably.

The Takeaway

Property taxes in Bergen County are high by any national standard — but they're the price of admission for some of the best schools, safest communities, and most convenient NYC access in the country. The key is to go in with accurate numbers, choose a town that matches your budget, and take advantage of every exemption and appeal process available to you.

If you're comparing towns and want to understand how taxes affect your total cost of ownership, I can walk you through the numbers for any community in Bergen or Hudson County. With 32+ years of experience, I've helped hundreds of buyers make smart, informed decisions — and understanding the tax picture is always part of the conversation.

Start with our complete town directory to compare communities, or read our Fort Lee guide for a close-up look at one of the GWB corridor's most popular towns.