Cape May, Cape May County, New Jersey Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Cape May, New Jersey
Median Cape May, New Jersey effective property tax rate: 2.03%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the New Jersey state median of 2.88%.
Median Cape May, New Jersey home value: $266,800
Median annual Cape May, New Jersey tax bill: $4,628, $2,228 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Cape May calculated?
Property taxes in Cape May, 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 Cape May's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Cape May, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Cape May, Cape May County, New Jersey Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
2.03%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$5,416
$5,026
How Does the Cape May Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Cape May property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Cape May's median effective tax rate of 2.03% — based on actual property records in Cape May County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessment process uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Cape May's 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 Cape May: rates range from 2.03% in 08204 to 2.03% in 08204, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts. Cape May's median effective tax rate is higher than the New Jersey median tax rate of 2.88%, and the median tax bill is $4,628, which is $2,228 higher than the state tax bill comparison provided.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Cape May.
About Cape May Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Cape May, Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May's median effective property tax rate of 2.03% is lower than the New Jersey state median of 2.88% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Cape May 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 Cape May. Homeowners in the 08204 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 2.03%, while those in the same ZIP pay 2.03%. This spread — 0.00 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Cape May County. Understanding which part of Cape May you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Cape May 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 Cape May, Cape May 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 Cape May’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 Ă· 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 Cape May Tax Rate
2.03%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· 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 Cape May County Tax Rate
1.55%
Median Effective New Jersey Tax Rate
2.88%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Cape May, Cape May County, New Jersey
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08204 | 1.06% | 1.06% | 2.03% | 2.03% | 2.04% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Cape May, Cape May County, New Jersey
When examining property taxes in Cape May, 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 Cape May 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 Cape May 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 Cape May is $266,800, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 08204 has the highest median home price at $266,800.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Cape May, Cape May County, New Jersey
Source: Ownwell
$152,600
$795,525
$1,438,450
Median Cape May Market Value
$266,800
Median Cape May County Market Value
$320,700
Median New Jersey Market Value
$288,200
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Cape May, Cape May County, New Jersey
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08204 | $149,300 | $184,400 | $266,800 | $454,400 | $726,020 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Cape May, Cape May County, New Jersey
Property tax bills in Cape May are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set by the county and other taxing authorities. When a property’s assessed value rises, the tax bill can increase as well, even if the homeowner’s income does not change. For a home with a median price of $266,800, the tax burden can vary widely depending on the specific assessment and location within the city.
In Cape May, the median property tax bill is $4,628, which is above the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and higher than the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. Bills in the area also show a broad range, with the 25th percentile at $3,583 and the 75th percentile at $6,593, while the 90th percentile reaches $9,476. For homeowners, that means property taxes can be a major part of annual housing costs and can significantly affect affordability.
Median Cape May Tax Bill
$4,628
Median Cape May County Tax Bill
$5,073
Median New Jersey Tax Bill
$8,638
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Cape May, Cape May County, New Jersey
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08204 | $2,944 | $3,583 | $4,628 | $6,593 | $9,476 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | April 1 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Cape May Tax Assessor | |
| Website | press.capemaycountynj.gov |