What Are Property Taxes Like in Hackensack NJ? A 2026 Buyer's Guide

When buyers search "what are property taxes like in Hackensack NJ," the honest short answer is: they are on the higher side, even by New Jersey standards. New Jersey already has the highest property taxes in the country, and Hackensack's effective rate sits right around the state median, which is well above the national average.

Here is a clear breakdown of how Hackensack's property taxes actually work in 2026, so you can budget with real numbers instead of guesses. For a broader view of the county, our guide to property taxes across Bergen County is a helpful companion.

How High Is the Tax Rate in Hackensack?

Hackensack's median effective property tax rate is roughly 2.88 percent, which lines up with the New Jersey state median but sits far above the national median of around 1 percent. That means the tax bill, as a share of a home's value, is roughly three times what you would see in most of the country.

The city's adopted municipal tax rate has also run near 3 percent in recent years. When you see a tax rate quoted, it is applied to the assessed value of the home, not the purchase price, which is an important distinction to understand before you buy.

What Is the Average Annual Tax Bill?

On a typical home, that rate produces an average annual property tax bill of roughly $9,300 to $9,800. Because home values in Hackensack are more moderate than in Bergen County's pricier villages, the dollar amount can be easier to stomach than in a town like Ridgewood, even though the rate is similar.

The practical takeaway: plan for a four-figure annual tax bill as a fixed, recurring cost of ownership, on top of your mortgage, insurance, and maintenance.

Why Are Hackensack's Taxes Elevated?

Hackensack's rate is pushed up partly because some large properties are tax-exempt. Major non-profit institutions, including Hackensack University Medical Center, sit on land that does not pay property taxes. That removes a meaningful chunk of the taxable base, which means homeowners carry more of the burden.

This is not unique to Hackensack, but it is a useful piece of context when you compare the rate with neighboring towns.

What Taxes Mean for Home Buyers

For most buyers, the monthly cost of ownership in Hackensack comes down to two numbers: the mortgage payment and the property tax bill. It is worth running both through your budget before you fall in love with a specific house.

Our guide to how much house you can afford in Bergen County walks through factoring taxes into your real budget.

Is the Tax Bill Worth It?

Taxes in Hackensack buy you a lot of amenity: the city is Bergen County's county seat and commercial hub, with a downtown that is being revitalized, strong transit access, and a central location near both the GWB and major highways. Our guide to whether Hackensack is a good place to live weighs the full picture beyond taxes.

The right way to decide is to compare the total cost of ownership, not just the sticker price. As a REALTOR who has guided buyers across Bergen County for more than three decades, I help my clients run these numbers honestly before they commit. If you are considering Hackensack or any nearby town, I would be glad to help you compare.