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

Arlington, TX vs Washington, DC

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

Summary

Washington spends 95.2% more per capita than Arlington ($231,572/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
Washington, DC
Pop. 670,587
D
41/100
Budget Balance45
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Arlington
Washington
Total Spending
$4.6B
$163.2B
Spending / Capita
$11,769
$243,341
Total Revenue
$23.8B
$186.2B
Revenue / Capita
$60,454
$277,701
Total Debt
$233.8M
$1.7B
Debt / Capita
$594
$2,516
Population
393,469
670,587
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Arlington$0
Washington$4,183
Fire Protection
Arlington$160
Washington$4,262
Highways & Roads
Arlington$149
Washington$1,435
Parks & Recreation
Arlington$1,352
Washington$5,459
Education
Arlington$0
Washington$53,224
Health
Arlington$219
Washington$1,009

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ArlingtonWashington
Property Tax
$0
$25
Sales Tax
$507
$991
Income Tax
$73
$141
Intergovernmental
$25,062
$18,754
Charges & Fees
$2,949
$4,070
Other
$3,897
$11,518

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ArlingtonWashington
Police
$0
$4,183
Fire Protection
$160
$4,262
Highways & Roads
$149
$1,435
Education
$0
$53,224
Public Welfare
$826
$2,498
Health
$219
$1,009
Hospitals
$152
$17,668
Parks & Recreation
$1,352
$5,459
Housing
$2,981
$10,296
Sewerage
$141
$2,881
Utilities
$1,385
$88,990
Interest on Debt
$0
$58
General Admin
$0
$3,225
Other
$4,404
$48,155
A
Arlington, TX
Fiscal Health Score: 83/100
Excellent fiscal health
D
Washington, DC
Fiscal Health Score: 41/100
Below average fiscal health

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