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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Allentown, PA vs Bethlehem, PA

Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)

Summary

Allentown spends 5.4% more per capita than Bethlehem ($785/person difference). Bethlehem, PA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 88/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Allentown, PA
Pop. 125,292
B
68/100
Budget Balance22
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency90
Revenue Diversity84
Trend Direction50
City B
Bethlehem, PA
Pop. 76,555
A
88/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency86
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Allentown
Bethlehem
Total Spending
$1.9B
$1.1B
Spending / Capita
$15,252
$14,468
Total Revenue
$1.0B
$1.9B
Revenue / Capita
$8,091
$25,113
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
125,292
76,555
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Allentown$333
Bethlehem$1,642
Highways & Roads
Allentown$0
Bethlehem$668
Parks & Recreation
Allentown$620
Bethlehem$634
Health
Allentown$0
Bethlehem$187

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

AllentownBethlehem
Property Tax
$37
$1
Sales Tax
$55
$405
Income Tax
$1,166
$308
Intergovernmental
$210
$3,237
Charges & Fees
$0
$3,296
Other
$3,410
$3,969

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

AllentownBethlehem
Fire Protection
$333
$1,642
Highways & Roads
$0
$668
Public Welfare
$1,275
$1,218
Health
$0
$187
Hospitals
$1,505
$526
Parks & Recreation
$620
$634
Housing
$3,312
$2,229
Sewerage
$0
$68
Utilities
$2,206
$2,000
Other
$6,001
$5,296
B
Allentown, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 68/100
Good fiscal health
A
Bethlehem, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 88/100
Excellent fiscal health

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