Cape May County (New Jersey) offers relatively lower property taxes compared to the state average, with an overall effective property tax rate of around 1.07%. Using a Cape May County property tax calculator, homeowners can estimate taxes based on local municipal rates, which range from 0.41% in Avalon to 1.78% in Del Haven. Coastal property values help keep county-wide rates below New Jersey’s high statewide average.
Cape May County Tax Estimator (2024 Rates)
Estimator uses the 2024 Cape May County municipal tax rates (total effective tax rate per $100 of assessed value).
Cape May County Property Tax Due Dates 2026
Property taxes in Cape May County (New Jersey) are billed quarterly. Payments are generally due on fixed dates throughout 2026, though grace periods may vary by municipality, so checking local rules is strongly recommended.
Cape May County Property Tax Due Dates (2026)
| Tax Quarter | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1st Quarter | February 1, 2026 |
| 2nd Quarter | May 1, 2026 |
| 3rd Quarter | August 1, 2026 |
| 4th Quarter | November 1, 2026 |
Note: If a due date falls on a weekend or legal holiday, payment is due on the next business day without interest.
Late Payment Penalties and interests in 2026 (Cape May County)
Late property tax payments in Cape May County may incur interest and penalties. Many municipalities allow a 10-day grace period, but the City of Cape May does not. Interest is charged at 8% on the first $1,500 and 18% on amounts over $1,500, with a 6% year-end penalty on balances exceeding $10,000.
Cape May County Property Tax Calculator
Our Cape May County property tax calculator helps homeowners estimate annual taxes using market value, municipality, property type, and available credits, based on local effective tax rates for accurate results.
How the Property Tax Calculation Works
To calculate property tax in Cape May County, enter your home’s appraised or market value, select your municipality, and choose the property type. The calculator applies the local effective tax rate, which includes municipal, school, and county taxes, to estimate your total annual tax bill accurately.
Understanding Assessed Value in Cape May County
Assessed value is the taxable value assigned by the local tax assessor and may differ from market value. In Cape May County, assessments are typically based on a percentage of market value. Your final property tax is calculated by multiplying the assessed value by your municipality’s effective tax rate.
Example Calculation Using the Calculator
For example, a residential property in Avalon with a market value of $100,000 may have a lower effective tax rate than inland towns. After selecting the municipality and property type, the calculator estimates taxes instantly, applying any eligible credits like Owner Occupancy or Homestead benefits.
Cape May County Tax Rates by Municipality 2025 payable in 2026
Understanding municipal tax rates in Cape May County helps homeowners estimate property taxes accurately. Below, we’ve broken down tax rates for all districts, including county, school, library, and municipal purpose taxes.
Avalon (Dennis Township)
This table lists the first set of municipalities and shows county, library, health, open space, and district school taxes, helping residents calculate their local property tax components.
| Municipality | County Tax | Library Tax | Health Service Tax | County Open Space Tax | District School Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avalon | 0.295 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.018 | 0.032 |
| Cape May City | 0.315 | 0.050 | 0.000 | 0.019 | 0.065 |
| Cape May Point | 0.312 | 0.050 | 0.000 | 0.018 | 0.021 |
| Dennis Twp | 0.260 | 0.042 | 0.000 | 0.015 | 1.568 |
Lower Township (West Wildwood)
This table includes the next set of municipalities, displaying regional and local school taxes along with municipal purpose and municipal open space taxes.
| Municipality | Regional School Tax | Local School Tax | Municipal Purpose Tax | Municipal Open Space Tax | Municipal Library Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Twp | 0.424 | 0.000 | 0.633 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
| Middle Twp | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.623 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
| North Wildwood City | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.929 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
| Ocean City | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.572 | 0.000 | 0.060 |
| Sea Isle City | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.445 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
| Stone Harbor | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.335 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
| Upper Twp | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.431 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
| West Cape May | 0.000 | 0.000 | 1.257 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
| West Wildwood | 0.000 | 0.000 | 1.257 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
Wildwood City (Woodbine)
The final table shows the remaining municipalities, general tax rate, effective tax rate, and remaining municipal details to give a full county-wide view.
| Municipality | General Tax Rate | Effective Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Wildwood City | 3.084 | 1.577 |
| Wildwood Crest | 1.447 | 0.863 |
| Woodbine | 1.712 | 1.391 |
These three tables cover all tax districts in Cape May County, providing homeowners with a detailed breakdown of rates used for estimating property taxes accurately in 2025 to 2026.
Cape May County Property Tax Rates PDF (2026)
Download the comprehensive Cape May County 2025/2026 property tax PDF, detailing municipal, school, library, and other district tax rates for all 40 townships. This guide helps homeowners and real estate professionals accurately understand local tax obligations and calculate estimated property taxes for each municipality.
Conclusion
Cape May property taxes vary by municipality, school district, and assessed home value. Using our Cape May tax calculator, homeowners can estimate taxes accurately, track due dates, and understand credits like Owner-Occupancy or Homestead. Staying informed about local tax rates, deadlines, and penalties ensures timely payments and helps residents plan their finances efficiently in 2026.