Organization and Basis of Presentation - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022 USD ($)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at period beginning	$ 6,176,508
Balance at period end	6,006,585
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	31,096
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	10
Other comprehensive income	31,106
Balance at period end	25,554
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	30,810
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	10
Other comprehensive income	30,820
Balance at period end	24,908
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	286
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0
Other comprehensive income	286
Balance at period end	646
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	32,181
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	10
Other comprehensive income	32,191
Balance at period end	30,387
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	31,885
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	10
Other comprehensive income	31,895
Balance at period end	29,719
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	296
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0
Other comprehensive income	296
Balance at period end	$ 668