Property Taxes in Short Hills, New Jersey
Median Short Hills, New Jersey effective property tax rate: 1.96%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the New Jersey state median of 2.88%.
Median Short Hills, New Jersey home value: $1,356,450
Median annual Short Hills, New Jersey tax bill: $26,514, higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Essex calculated?
Property taxes in Short Hills, New Jersey are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding Short Hills's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Short Hills, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Short Hills Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Short Hills property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Short Hills' median effective tax rate of 1.96% — based on actual property records in Essex County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Short Hills' median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Short Hills: rates range from 1.96% in 07078 to 1.96% in 07078, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Short Hills.
About Short Hills Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Short Hills, Essex, New Jersey
Short Hills’ median effective property tax rate of 1.96% is lower than the New Jersey state median of 2.88% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Essex County base levy combined with local school district levies and special assessment districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Short Hills. Homeowners in the 07078 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.96%, while those in the same ZIP code also pay 1.96%. This spread — 0 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Essex County. Understanding which part of Short Hills you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Short Hills homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Tax Assessor before the April 1, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Short Hills, Essex County, New Jersey
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate.
While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare Short Hills's effective property tax rate to other cities in New Jersey and the median property tax rates in New Jersey and the U.S.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Short Hills Tax Rate
1.96%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Essex County Tax Rate
3.27%
Median Effective New Jersey Tax Rate
2.88%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Short Hills, Essex County, New Jersey
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07078 | 1.96% | 1.96% | 1.96% | 1.96% | 1.96% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Short Hills, Essex County, New Jersey
When examining property taxes in Short Hills, New Jersey, understanding the distinction between market value and assessed value is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Essex County tax assessor estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices:
In Essex County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of February.
Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. For example, the median home price in Short Hills is $1,356,450, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 07078 has the highest median home price at $1,356,450.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Short Hills, Essex County, New Jersey
Source: Ownwell
$145,150
$750,800
$1,356,450
Median Short Hills Market Value
$1,356,450
Median Essex County Market Value
$366,500
Median New Jersey Market Value
$288,200
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Short Hills, Essex County, New Jersey
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07078 | $904,400 | $1,084,950 | $1,356,450 | $1,834,225 | $2,500,300 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Short Hills, Essex County, New Jersey
Property tax bills in Short Hills are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set by the county and other taxing authorities. For homeowners, the bill is determined by multiplying the assessed value by the applicable rate, so changes in market value can affect what is owed over time. With a median home price of $1,356,450, property taxes in this area are substantial, and many homeowners face bills well above the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
The typical property tax burden is high across the city, with the median tax bill at $26,514 in ZIP code 07078. Bills can vary widely depending on the home’s assessed value and the local rate, with the 25th percentile at $21,227 and the 75th percentile at $35,903. At the 90th percentile, bills reach $48,934, showing how quickly taxes can rise for higher-value homes. For homeowners, this means property taxes are a major ongoing cost that can significantly affect affordability.
Median Short Hills Tax Bill
$26,514
Median Essex County Tax Bill
$11,737
Median New Jersey Tax Bill
$8,638
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Short Hills, Essex County, New Jersey
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07078 | $17,710 | $21,227 | $26,514 | $35,903 | $48,934 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | April 1 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Essex Tax Assessor | |
| Website | www.taxdatahub.com |