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

Arlington, TX vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Summary

Philadelphia spends 79.1% more per capita than Arlington ($44,503/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
Philadelphia, PA
Pop. 1,593,208
D
45/100
Budget Balance17
Debt Burden53
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Arlington
Philadelphia
Total Spending
$4.6B
$89.7B
Spending / Capita
$11,769
$56,272
Total Revenue
$23.8B
$64.4B
Revenue / Capita
$60,454
$40,425
Total Debt
$233.8M
$1.7B
Debt / Capita
$594
$1,069
Population
393,469
1,593,208
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Arlington$0
Philadelphia$1,505
Fire Protection
Arlington$160
Philadelphia$7,082
Highways & Roads
Arlington$149
Philadelphia$1,215
Parks & Recreation
Arlington$1,352
Philadelphia$593
Health
Arlington$219
Philadelphia$229

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ArlingtonPhiladelphia
Sales Tax
$507
$107
Income Tax
$73
$8
Intergovernmental
$25,062
$6,288
Charges & Fees
$2,949
$2,790
Other
$3,897
$4,029

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ArlingtonPhiladelphia
Police
$0
$1,505
Fire Protection
$160
$7,082
Highways & Roads
$149
$1,215
Public Welfare
$826
$1,456
Health
$219
$229
Hospitals
$152
$4,048
Parks & Recreation
$1,352
$593
Housing
$2,981
$4,902
Sewerage
$141
$325
Utilities
$1,385
$4,222
Interest on Debt
$0
$3
Other
$4,404
$30,692
A
Arlington, TX
Fiscal Health Score: 83/100
Excellent fiscal health
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health

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