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

Atlanta, GA vs Boston, MA

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

Summary

Boston spends 64.8% more per capita than Atlanta ($46,842/person difference). Atlanta, GA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 85/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Atlanta, GA
Pop. 494,838
A
85/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency64
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Boston, MA
Pop. 665,945
C
56/100
Budget Balance25
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Atlanta
Boston
Total Spending
$12.6B
$48.1B
Spending / Capita
$25,457
$72,299
Total Revenue
$77.6B
$20.8B
Revenue / Capita
$156,803
$31,243
Total Debt
$0
$296.3M
Debt / Capita
$0
$445
Population
494,838
665,945
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Atlanta$315
Boston$0
Fire Protection
Atlanta$464
Boston$1,107
Highways & Roads
Atlanta$513
Boston$594
Parks & Recreation
Atlanta$1,274
Boston$711
Education
Atlanta$25
Boston$30,742
Health
Atlanta$0
Boston$725

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

AtlantaBoston
Property Tax
$419
$0
Sales Tax
$0
$78
Income Tax
$1,292
$0
Intergovernmental
$9,121
$5,357
Charges & Fees
$5,645
$2,784
Other
$5,461
$4,557

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

AtlantaBoston
Police
$315
$0
Fire Protection
$464
$1,107
Highways & Roads
$513
$594
Education
$25
$30,742
Public Welfare
$1,587
$1,110
Health
$0
$725
Hospitals
$55
$2,584
Parks & Recreation
$1,274
$711
Housing
$4,594
$6,614
Sewerage
$343
$355
Utilities
$8,026
$3,402
General Admin
$0
$5,401
Other
$8,262
$18,955
A
Atlanta, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 85/100
Excellent fiscal health
C
Boston, MA
Fiscal Health Score: 56/100
Average fiscal health

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