Organization (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2025 USD ($) apartment building project community shares	Dec. 31, 2024 USD ($) property shares
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Limited partner - ownership percentage	3.40%	3.50%
Number of apartment communities owned	259	13
Number of apartment units owned | apartment	63,077
Ownership interests, number of commercial buildings | building	2
Number of consolidated project | project	1
Essex Portfolio, L.P.
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Operating partnership units outstanding (in shares) | shares	2,250,339	2,331,251
Redemption value of operating partnership units outstanding | $	$ 588.9	$ 665.4
Operating Partnership
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Ownership interest in partnership	96.60%	96.50%