These 5 New Jersey Towns Have the Highest School Tax Bills in the State

New Jersey residents are no strangers to high property taxes, but when it comes specifically to school taxes, a handful of towns in North Jersey consistently sit at the very top of the list.

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According to 2026 data, communities in Bergen and Morris counties are home to the highest average school tax bills in the state. In several of these towns, homeowners pay well into the five-figure range each year just for the school portion of their property taxes.

Mountain Lakes Leads the State

The town with the highest average school tax bill in New Jersey is Mountain Lakes. Homeowners there pay roughly $19,000 per year toward local schools. Education spending makes up a significant portion of the town’s property taxes, accounting for around 70% of the total tax bill, thanks to an article from nj.com.

Bergen County Towns Close Behind

Two communities in Bergen County also rank near the top of the list.

Residents in Demarest pay an average school tax bill of about $18,000 annually, reflecting the town’s strong investment in its local school district.

Not far behind is Tenafly, where homeowners typically pay around $17,000 per year in school taxes.

Morris and Essex Counties Also Appear on the List

Another Morris County community, Mendham Township, ranks fourth with average school taxes of approximately $16,500 annually.

Rounding out the top five is Glen Ridge, where homeowners pay close to $16,000 per year toward their local school district, according to nj.com.

What About the Jersey Shore?

Interestingly, none of the towns along the Jersey Shore appear among the communities with the highest school tax bills.

While property taxes in shore towns can still be substantial, their school tax portions tend to be lower compared to some of the high-income suburban communities in North Jersey.

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For many residents in coastal areas, that’s at least one small silver lining when it comes to living in a state known for its steep property taxes.