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

Arlington, TX vs Phoenix, AZ

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

Summary

Phoenix spends 25.5% more per capita than Arlington ($4,024/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
Phoenix, AZ
Pop. 1,609,456
B
67/100
Budget Balance93
Debt Burden45
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Arlington
Phoenix
Total Spending
$4.6B
$25.4B
Spending / Capita
$11,769
$15,793
Total Revenue
$23.8B
$81.6B
Revenue / Capita
$60,454
$50,709
Total Debt
$233.8M
$1.9B
Debt / Capita
$594
$1,156
Population
393,469
1,609,456
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Arlington$160
Phoenix$170
Highways & Roads
Arlington$149
Phoenix$86
Parks & Recreation
Arlington$1,352
Phoenix$652
Education
Arlington$0
Phoenix$214
Health
Arlington$219
Phoenix$258

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ArlingtonPhoenix
Property Tax
$0
$7
Sales Tax
$507
$338
Income Tax
$73
$1,260
Intergovernmental
$25,062
$50,709
Charges & Fees
$2,949
$2,998
Other
$3,897
$2,038

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ArlingtonPhoenix
Fire Protection
$160
$170
Highways & Roads
$149
$86
Education
$0
$214
Public Welfare
$826
$507
Health
$219
$258
Hospitals
$152
$1,521
Parks & Recreation
$1,352
$652
Housing
$2,981
$3,879
Sewerage
$141
$388
Utilities
$1,385
$2,480
Interest on Debt
$0
$1,760
Other
$4,404
$3,878
A
Arlington, TX
Fiscal Health Score: 83/100
Excellent fiscal health
B
Phoenix, AZ
Fiscal Health Score: 67/100
Good fiscal health

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