EPLP - Consolidated Statements of Capital - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Net income	$ 430,708	$ 432,985	$ 515,691
Change in fair value of derivatives and amortization of swap settlements	(13,364)	54,158	9,170
Change in fair value of marketable debt securities, net	0	233	329
Issuance of common stock under:
Sale of common stock by general partner, net	(347)	(314)	(455)
Retirement of common units, net	(95,657)	(189,726)	(9,172)
Changes in the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest	(5,055)	7,038	(6,890)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest		125	1,900
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(31,939)	(30,959)	(29,341)
Redemptions	(609)	(11,452)	(8,457)
Essex Portfolio, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance at period beginning	5,895,116	6,176,508	6,183,192
Net income	430,708	432,985	515,691
Reversal of unrealized gains upon the sale of marketable debt securities		(577)
Change in fair value of derivatives and amortization of swap settlements	(13,364)	54,158	9,170
Change in fair value of marketable debt securities, net	0	233	329
Issuance of common stock under:
General partner's stock based compensation, net	(3,825)	17,309	53,052
Sale of common stock by general partner, net	(347)	(314)	(455)
Equity based compensation costs	12,135	11,446	11,683
Retirement of common units, net	(95,657)	(189,726)	(9,172)
Changes in the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest	(5,055)	7,038	(6,890)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest		125	1,900
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(11,060)	(10,935)	(10,215)
Redemptions	(609)	(11,452)	(8,457)
Distributions declared	(614,064)	(591,682)	(563,320)
Balance at period end	5,593,978	5,895,116	6,176,508
Essex Portfolio, L.P. | Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance at period beginning	52,010	(1,804)	(11,303)
Reversal of unrealized gains upon the sale of marketable debt securities		(577)
Change in fair value of derivatives and amortization of swap settlements	(13,364)	54,158	9,170
Change in fair value of marketable debt securities, net		233	329
Issuance of common stock under:
Balance at period end	38,646	52,010	(1,804)
Essex Portfolio, L.P. | Noncontrolling interest
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance at period beginning	121,746	122,655	121,172
Net income	10,599	10,373	9,946
Issuance of common stock under:
Changes in the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest	20	422	447
Contributions from noncontrolling interest		125	1,900
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(11,060)	(10,935)	(10,215)
Redemptions	(154)	(894)	(595)
Balance at period end	$ 121,151	$ 121,746	$ 122,655
Essex Portfolio, L.P. | General Partner | Common Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance at period beginning (in shares)	64,605	65,248	64,999
Balance at period beginning	$ 5,669,906	$ 5,999,155	$ 6,015,139
Net income	$ 405,825	$ 408,315	$ 488,554
Issuance of common stock under:
General partner's stock based compensation, net (in shares)	21	89	279
General partner's stock based compensation, net	$ (3,825)	$ 17,309	$ 53,052
Sale of common stock by general partner, net	(347)	(314)	(455)
Equity based compensation costs	$ 11,723	$ 11,059	$ 11,286
Retirement of common units, net (in shares)	(437)	(740)	(40)
Retirement of common units, net	$ (95,657)	$ (189,726)	$ (9,172)
Changes in the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest	$ (5,150)	$ 6,230	$ (7,489)
Redemptions (in shares)	14	8	10
Redemptions	$ (100)	$ (10,464)	$ (7,566)
Distributions declared	$ (593,185)	$ (571,658)	$ (544,194)
Balance at period end (in shares)	64,203	64,605	65,248
Balance at period end	$ 5,389,190	$ 5,669,906	$ 5,999,155
Essex Portfolio, L.P. | Limited Partner | Common Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance at period beginning (in shares)	2,272	2,282	2,295
Balance at period beginning	$ 51,454	$ 56,502	$ 58,184
Net income	14,284	14,297	17,191
Issuance of common stock under:
Equity based compensation costs	412	387	397
Changes in the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest	$ 75	$ 386	$ 152
Redemptions (in shares)	(13)	(10)	(13)
Redemptions	$ (355)	$ (94)	$ (296)
Distributions declared	$ (20,879)	$ (20,024)	$ (19,126)
Balance at period end (in shares)	2,259	2,272	2,282
Balance at period end	$ 44,991	$ 51,454	$ 56,502