These 30 towns have lowest equalized property tax rate in NJ

Property tax is the bane of our existence in New Jersey. We are the highest in the nation, and there is no end in sight. With the politicians working instead on things like proclaiming an annual Bruce Springsteen Day I’m not hopeful for any relief.

With the average annual property tax bill in New Jersey now at $9,490 you’re basically paying a tax that is higher than your entire mortgage would be in a lot of other states. Another way of saying it is it’s like you’re paying for two homes, but only owning one.

Recently Eric Scott ran a story on NJ1015.com about the towns with the lowest property tax bills in the state. For example, the lowest tax bill belongs to Walpack followed by Camden. But if you look at the tax rate it's a different story entirely.

Different towns charge different tax rates and there is a way to level the playing field that arrives at an equalized tax rate. Turns out the poorer towns with the lowest-valued homes usually have the higher tax rates. And the wealthy towns often have much lower tax rates.

Doesn't seem fair, does it?

So while the lowest actual property tax bills belong to Walpack then Camden, the lowest equalized tax rates belong to Avalon then Stone Harbor.

That’s actually the biggest eye-opener in this set of numbers. Take a look not at the towns with the lowest property tax bill, but at the 30 towns with the lowest equalized tax rate. It might definitely surprise you.

30 NJ towns with the lowest equalized tax rates

30 (tie) Bradley Beach 0.964

30 (tie) Sea Bright 0.964

28 Teterboro 0.84

27 Interlake 0.838

26 Loch Arbour 0.814

25 Alpine 0.811

24 Longport 0.796

23 Avon-by-the-Sea 0.795

22 West Cape May 0.78

21 Beach Haven 0.765

20 Harvey Cedars 0.75

19 Ship Bottom 0.748

18 Surf City 0.739

17 Rockleigh 0.696

16 Cape May 0.693

15 Ocean City 0.691

14 Bay Head 0.676

13 Long Beach 0.675

12 Barnegat Light 0.65

11 Lavellette 0.647

10 Walpack 0.646

9 Sea Girt 0.567

8 Allenhurst 0.556

7 Mantoloking 0.501

6 Sea Isle 0.48

5 Deal 0.478

4 Cape May Point 0.477

3 Spring Lake 0.465

2 Stone Harbor 0.459

1 Avalon 0.384

See the original article here for the average property values and average tax bills for each of those municipalities.

Opinions expressed in the post above are those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Jeff Deminski only.

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