EPLP - Condensed Consolidated Statement of Capital (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Net income	$ 78,375	$ 176,949
Change in fair value of derivatives and amortization of swap settlements	20,083	4,407
Change in fair value of marketable debt securities, net	398	85
Issuance of common stock under:
Sale of common stock by general partner, net	(141)
Retirement of common units, net		(9,172)
Changes in the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest	(5,072)	(4,083)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest	125	1,900
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(7,619)	(7,554)
Redemptions	(26)	(255)
Essex Portfolio, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance at period beginning	6,176,508	6,183,192
Net income	78,375	176,949
Change in fair value of derivatives and amortization of swap settlements	20,083	4,407
Change in fair value of marketable debt securities, net	398	85
Issuance of common stock under:
General partner's stock based compensation, net	16,867	(3,744)
Sale of common stock by general partner, net	(141)
Equity based compensation costs	2,463	5,082
Retirement of common units, net		(9,172)
Changes in the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest	(5,072)	(4,083)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest	125	1,900
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(2,597)	(2,760)
Redemptions	(26)	(255)
Distributions declared	(148,776)	(140,670)
Balance at period end	$ 6,138,207	$ 6,210,931
Essex Portfolio, L.P. | Common Equity | General Partner
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance at period beginning (in shares)	65,248	64,999
Balance at period beginning	$ 5,999,155	$ 6,015,139
Net income	$ 73,254	$ 168,444
Issuance of common stock under:
General partner's stock based compensation, net (in shares)	84	39
General partner's stock based compensation, net	$ 16,867	$ (3,744)
Sale of common stock by general partner, net	(141)
Equity based compensation costs	2,380	$ 5,028
Retirement of common units, net (in shares)		(40)
Retirement of common units, net		$ (9,172)
Changes in the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest	(5,014)	$ (4,178)
Redemptions (in shares)		1
Redemptions	(1)	$ (75)
Distributions declared	$ (143,754)	$ (135,876)
Balance at period end (in shares)	65,332	64,999
Balance at period end	$ 5,942,746	$ 6,035,566
Essex Portfolio, L.P. | Common Equity | Limited Partners
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance at period beginning (in shares)	2,282	2,295
Balance at period beginning	$ 56,502	$ 58,184
Net income	2,563	5,947
Issuance of common stock under:
Equity based compensation costs	83	54
Changes in the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest	(14)	$ 73
Redemptions (in shares)		(1)
Redemptions		$ (136)
Distributions declared	$ (5,022)	$ (4,794)
Balance at period end (in shares)	2,282	2,294
Balance at period end	$ 54,112	$ 59,328
Essex Portfolio, L.P. | Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance at period beginning	(1,804)	(11,303)
Change in fair value of derivatives and amortization of swap settlements	20,083	4,407
Change in fair value of marketable debt securities, net	398	85
Issuance of common stock under:
Balance at period end	18,677	(6,811)
Essex Portfolio, L.P. | Noncontrolling interest
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance at period beginning	122,655	121,172
Net income	2,558	2,558
Issuance of common stock under:
Changes in the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest	(44)	22
Contributions from noncontrolling interest	125	1,900
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(2,597)	(2,760)
Redemptions	(25)	(44)
Balance at period end	$ 122,672	$ 122,848