Organization and Basis of Presentation - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2022 USD ($)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at period beginning	$ 6,176,508
Balance at period end	5,881,197
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	56,306
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	15
Other comprehensive income	56,321
Balance at period end	50,769
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	56,109
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	15
Other comprehensive income	56,124
Balance at period end	50,212
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	197
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0
Other comprehensive income	197
Balance at period end	557
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	58,273
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	15
Other comprehensive income	58,288
Balance at period end	56,484
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	58,069
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	15
Other comprehensive income	58,084
Balance at period end	55,908
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	204
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0
Other comprehensive income	204
Balance at period end	$ 576