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

Arlington, TX vs Chicago, IL

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

Summary

Chicago spends 65.9% more per capita than Arlington ($22,782/person difference). Arlington, TX has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 83/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Arlington, TX
Pop. 393,469
A
83/100
Budget Balance78
Debt Burden96
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity89
Trend Direction50
City B
Chicago, IL
Pop. 2,721,914
C
61/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden61
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency22
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Arlington
Chicago
Total Spending
$4.6B
$94.0B
Spending / Capita
$11,769
$34,551
Total Revenue
$23.8B
$231.6B
Revenue / Capita
$60,454
$85,083
Total Debt
$233.8M
$2.7B
Debt / Capita
$594
$977
Population
393,469
2,721,914
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Arlington$160
Chicago$10,754
Highways & Roads
Arlington$149
Chicago$930
Parks & Recreation
Arlington$1,352
Chicago$122
Health
Arlington$219
Chicago$426

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ArlingtonChicago
Property Tax
$0
$26
Sales Tax
$507
$74
Income Tax
$73
$229
Intergovernmental
$25,062
$85,083
Charges & Fees
$2,949
$2,847
Other
$3,897
$3,463

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ArlingtonChicago
Fire Protection
$160
$10,754
Highways & Roads
$149
$930
Public Welfare
$826
$1,858
Health
$219
$426
Hospitals
$152
$1,444
Parks & Recreation
$1,352
$122
Housing
$2,981
$6,520
Sewerage
$141
$129
Utilities
$1,385
$2,983
Other
$4,404
$9,385
A
Arlington, TX
Fiscal Health Score: 83/100
Excellent fiscal health
C
Chicago, IL
Fiscal Health Score: 61/100
Average fiscal health

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