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

Atlanta, GA vs Los Angeles, CA

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

Summary

Los Angeles spends 70.2% more per capita than Atlanta ($59,975/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
Los Angeles, CA
Pop. 3,881,041
D
47/100
Budget Balance0
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity65
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Atlanta
Los Angeles
Total Spending
$12.6B
$331.6B
Spending / Capita
$25,457
$85,432
Total Revenue
$77.6B
$68.3B
Revenue / Capita
$156,803
$17,595
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
494,838
3,881,041
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Atlanta$315
Los Angeles$4,111
Fire Protection
Atlanta$464
Los Angeles$1,057
Highways & Roads
Atlanta$513
Los Angeles$503
Parks & Recreation
Atlanta$1,274
Los Angeles$1,347
Education
Atlanta$25
Los Angeles$829
Health
Atlanta$0
Los Angeles$409

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

AtlantaLos Angeles
Property Tax
$419
$64
Sales Tax
$0
$77
Income Tax
$1,292
$307
Intergovernmental
$9,121
$134
Charges & Fees
$5,645
$459
Other
$5,461
$9,048

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

AtlantaLos Angeles
Police
$315
$4,111
Fire Protection
$464
$1,057
Highways & Roads
$513
$503
Education
$25
$829
Public Welfare
$1,587
$1,286
Health
$0
$409
Hospitals
$55
$2,135
Parks & Recreation
$1,274
$1,347
Housing
$4,594
$6,325
Sewerage
$343
$34
Utilities
$8,026
$21,992
Interest on Debt
$0
$630
General Admin
$0
$11,586
Other
$8,262
$33,189
A
Atlanta, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 85/100
Excellent fiscal health
D
Los Angeles, CA
Fiscal Health Score: 47/100
Below average fiscal health

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