Hackensack is Bergen County's urban center — the county seat, the healthcare hub, and increasingly, the affordable entry point for Bergen County buyers. The 2.70% property tax rate is mid-high for Bergen County but paired with lower home prices creates an accessible total monthly cost.
Hackensack Tax Rate
Effective rate: approximately 2.70% (2026)
Bergen County context: - Alpine: 1.76% - Paramus: 1.93% - Ridgewood: 2.42% - Hackensack: 2.70% - Teaneck: 3.18% - Bergenfield: 3.31%
Real Dollar Examples
| Home Price | Annual Tax | Monthly | |---|---|---| | $350,000 | $9,450 | $788 | | $450,000 | $12,150 | $1,013 | | $550,000 | $14,850 | $1,238 | | $650,000 | $17,550 | $1,463 |
The median Hackensack home (~$485K) costs $1,091/month in taxes.
Why Hackensack Works for First-Time Buyers
Despite a higher tax rate than Paramus or Ridgewood, Hackensack's lower home prices make the total monthly payment MORE affordable:
| Town | Median | Rate | Monthly Tax | Monthly P&I (FHA) | Total PITI | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | Ridgewood | $875K | 2.42% | $1,764 | $5,422 | ~$7,336 | | Paramus | $725K | 1.93% | $1,166 | $4,485 | ~$5,801 | | Hackensack | $485K | 2.70% | $1,091 | $2,989 | ~$4,230 | | Teaneck | $565K | 3.18% | $1,497 | $3,488 | ~$5,135 |
Hackensack has the lowest total PITI of these Bergen County options — $1,000-$3,100/month less than Ridgewood.
NJHMFA + FHA in Hackensack
Hackensack's median ($485K) is within NJHMFA Blue tier limits. The stack: - FHA down payment (3.5%): $16,975 - NJHMFA Blue: $15,000 - Gap: $1,975 - With First Gen: $0 gap + $5,025 toward closing costs
Hackensack is the most NJHMFA-friendly town in Bergen County because home prices are low enough to stay within program limits.
Hackensack Redevelopment Areas
Several Hackensack redevelopment zones offer tax abatements on new construction — similar to Jersey City. Downtown Hackensack and the area around Hackensack University Medical Center are seeing new residential development with potential PILOT programs.
Ask about abatement status on any new Hackensack construction.
What's Changing in Hackensack
Hackensack is undergoing a renaissance: - New residential towers downtown - Hackensack Performing Arts Center - Restaurant/retail growth on Main Street - NJ Transit bus hub (NYC commute 45-60 min) - Hackensack University Medical Center expansion (major employer)
These changes are pushing home values up but the tax rate has been relatively stable.
Bottom Line
Hackensack's 2.70% tax rate looks high in isolation, but paired with the lowest median home price in Bergen County ($485K), the total monthly cost is Bergen County's most accessible. It's the ideal Bergen County entry point for first-time buyers using FHA + NJHMFA.
[Hackensack pre-approval](/contact/) — real numbers with the 2.70% rate.