Organization and Basis of Presentation - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022 USD ($)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at period beginning	$ 6,176,508
Balance at period end	6,138,207
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at period beginning	(5,552)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification	19,784
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	5
Other comprehensive income	19,789
Balance at period end	14,237
Change in fair value and amortization of swap settlements
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at period beginning	(5,912)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification	19,399
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	5
Other comprehensive income	19,404
Balance at period end	13,492
Unrealized gain on available for sale securities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at period beginning	360
Other comprehensive income before reclassification	385
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0
Other comprehensive income	385
Balance at period end	745
Essex Portfolio, L.P. | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at period beginning	(1,804)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification	20,476
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	5
Other comprehensive income	20,481
Balance at period end	18,677
Essex Portfolio, L.P. | Change in fair value and amortization of swap settlements
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at period beginning	(2,176)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification	20,078
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	5
Other comprehensive income	20,083
Balance at period end	17,907
Essex Portfolio, L.P. | Unrealized gain on available for sale securities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at period beginning	372
Other comprehensive income before reclassification	398
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0
Other comprehensive income	398
Balance at period end	$ 770