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

Atlanta, GA vs Columbus, OH

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

Summary

Atlanta spends 35.0% more per capita than Columbus ($6,599/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
Columbus, OH
Pop. 902,449
C
52/100
Budget Balance32
Debt Burden46
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency94
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Atlanta
Columbus
Total Spending
$12.6B
$17.0B
Spending / Capita
$25,457
$18,858
Total Revenue
$77.6B
$0
Revenue / Capita
$156,803
$0
Total Debt
$0
$1.0B
Debt / Capita
$0
$1,145
Population
494,838
902,449
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Atlanta$315
Columbus$0
Fire Protection
Atlanta$464
Columbus$1,016
Highways & Roads
Atlanta$513
Columbus$224
Parks & Recreation
Atlanta$1,274
Columbus$2,168
Education
Atlanta$25
Columbus$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

AtlantaColumbus
Property Tax
$419
$10
Sales Tax
$0
$234
Income Tax
$1,292
$1
Intergovernmental
$9,121
$0
Charges & Fees
$5,645
$2,389
Other
$5,461
$5,248

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

AtlantaColumbus
Police
$315
$0
Fire Protection
$464
$1,016
Highways & Roads
$513
$224
Education
$25
$0
Public Welfare
$1,587
$878
Hospitals
$55
$953
Parks & Recreation
$1,274
$2,168
Housing
$4,594
$4,303
Sewerage
$343
$1
Utilities
$8,026
$1,719
Other
$8,262
$7,595
A
Atlanta, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 85/100
Excellent fiscal health
C
Columbus, OH
Fiscal Health Score: 52/100
Average fiscal health

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