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

Atlanta, GA vs Houston, TX

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

Summary

Atlanta spends 76.8% more per capita than Houston ($11,057/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
Houston, TX
Pop. 2,296,253
A
83/100
Budget Balance94
Debt Burden72
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Atlanta
Houston
Total Spending
$12.6B
$33.1B
Spending / Capita
$25,457
$14,400
Total Revenue
$77.6B
$127.7B
Revenue / Capita
$156,803
$55,600
Total Debt
$0
$2.0B
Debt / Capita
$0
$863
Population
494,838
2,296,253
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Atlanta$315
Houston$0
Fire Protection
Atlanta$464
Houston$295
Highways & Roads
Atlanta$513
Houston$175
Parks & Recreation
Atlanta$1,274
Houston$361
Education
Atlanta$25
Houston$0
Health
Atlanta$0
Houston$210

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

AtlantaHouston
Property Tax
$419
$0
Sales Tax
$0
$181
Income Tax
$1,292
$39
Intergovernmental
$9,121
$33
Charges & Fees
$5,645
$3,475
Other
$5,461
$3,960

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

AtlantaHouston
Police
$315
$0
Fire Protection
$464
$295
Highways & Roads
$513
$175
Education
$25
$0
Public Welfare
$1,587
$533
Health
$0
$210
Hospitals
$55
$511
Parks & Recreation
$1,274
$361
Housing
$4,594
$4,288
Sewerage
$343
$386
Utilities
$8,026
$1,339
Other
$8,262
$6,301
A
Atlanta, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 85/100
Excellent fiscal health
A
Houston, TX
Fiscal Health Score: 83/100
Excellent fiscal health

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