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

Atlanta, GA vs Colorado Springs, CO

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

Reviewed by CitySpend Editorial Team · Updated

Atlanta, GA outspends Colorado Springs, CO by a wide margin per resident — $25,457 versus $13,222, a 93% difference. A gap this size usually reflects a structurally different service mix or accounting scope rather than a single line item.

Atlanta, GA holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 85/100 (grade A) against 59/100 (grade C) for Colorado Springs, CO — a 26-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.

Atlanta, GA reports no outstanding debt per resident in its Census filing, while Colorado Springs, CO carries $3,063 per resident. Their budgets diverge on where the largest per-resident dollars go: Atlanta, GA leads with parks and recreation at $1,274 per resident, while Colorado Springs, CO leads with fire protection at $1,266.

On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 6% of total revenue in Atlanta, GA and 13% in Colorado Springs, CO.

Summary

Atlanta spends 92.5% more per capita than Colorado Springs ($12,235/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
Colorado Springs, CO
Pop. 479,612
C
59/100
Budget Balance54
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Atlanta
Colorado Springs
Total Spending
$12.6B
$6.3B
Spending / Capita
$25,457
$13,222
Total Revenue
$77.6B
$25.3B
Revenue / Capita
$156,803
$52,777
Total Debt
$0
$1.5B
Debt / Capita
$0
$3,063
Population
494,838
479,612
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Atlanta$315
Colorado Springs$0
Fire Protection
Atlanta$464
Colorado Springs$1,266
Highways & Roads
Atlanta$513
Colorado Springs$0
Parks & Recreation
Atlanta$1,274
Colorado Springs$376
Education
Atlanta$25
Colorado Springs$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

AtlantaColorado Springs
Property Tax
$419
$0
Sales Tax
$0
$257
Income Tax
$1,292
$0
Intergovernmental
$9,121
$6,902
Charges & Fees
$5,645
$5,676
Other
$5,461
$2,678

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

AtlantaColorado Springs
Police
$315
$0
Fire Protection
$464
$1,266
Highways & Roads
$513
$0
Education
$25
$0
Public Welfare
$1,587
$575
Hospitals
$55
$416
Parks & Recreation
$1,274
$376
Housing
$4,594
$2,713
Sewerage
$343
$0
Utilities
$8,026
$2,566
Interest on Debt
$0
$190
Other
$8,262
$5,120
A
Atlanta, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 85/100
Excellent fiscal health
C
Colorado Springs, CO
Fiscal Health Score: 59/100
Average fiscal health

Compare More Cities

Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.