Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Apr. 23, 2019
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000920522
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		65,716,550
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2019
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	ESSEX PORTFOLIO LP
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false