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

Atlanta, GA vs Denver, CO

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

Summary

Denver spends 24.2% more per capita than Atlanta ($8,125/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
Denver, CO
Pop. 710,800
C
51/100
Budget Balance68
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency26
Revenue Diversity99
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Atlanta
Denver
Total Spending
$12.6B
$23.9B
Spending / Capita
$25,457
$33,582
Total Revenue
$77.6B
$86.8B
Revenue / Capita
$156,803
$122,063
Total Debt
$0
$3.6B
Debt / Capita
$0
$5,126
Population
494,838
710,800
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Atlanta$315
Denver$2,455
Fire Protection
Atlanta$464
Denver$1,668
Highways & Roads
Atlanta$513
Denver$475
Parks & Recreation
Atlanta$1,274
Denver$3,319
Education
Atlanta$25
Denver$821
Health
Atlanta$0
Denver$693

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

AtlantaDenver
Property Tax
$419
$0
Sales Tax
$0
$2,070
Income Tax
$1,292
$236
Intergovernmental
$9,121
$44,661
Charges & Fees
$5,645
$5,207
Other
$5,461
$10,100

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

AtlantaDenver
Police
$315
$2,455
Fire Protection
$464
$1,668
Highways & Roads
$513
$475
Education
$25
$821
Public Welfare
$1,587
$764
Health
$0
$693
Hospitals
$55
$2,855
Parks & Recreation
$1,274
$3,319
Housing
$4,594
$3,565
Sewerage
$343
$293
Utilities
$8,026
$4,292
Interest on Debt
$0
$7
General Admin
$0
$364
Other
$8,262
$12,011
A
Atlanta, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 85/100
Excellent fiscal health
C
Denver, CO
Fiscal Health Score: 51/100
Average fiscal health

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