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

Atlanta, GA vs Mesa, AZ

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

Summary

Atlanta spends 99.4% more per capita than Mesa ($12,689/person difference). Mesa, AZ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 90/100).

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
Mesa, AZ
Pop. 503,390
A
90/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Atlanta
Mesa
Total Spending
$12.6B
$6.4B
Spending / Capita
$25,457
$12,768
Total Revenue
$77.6B
$18.0B
Revenue / Capita
$156,803
$35,688
Total Debt
$0
$236.3M
Debt / Capita
$0
$469
Population
494,838
503,390
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Atlanta$315
Mesa$0
Fire Protection
Atlanta$464
Mesa$422
Highways & Roads
Atlanta$513
Mesa$192
Parks & Recreation
Atlanta$1,274
Mesa$953
Education
Atlanta$25
Mesa$0
Health
Atlanta$0
Mesa$147

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

AtlantaMesa
Property Tax
$419
$47
Sales Tax
$0
$463
Income Tax
$1,292
$1,376
Intergovernmental
$9,121
$1,383
Charges & Fees
$5,645
$3,334
Other
$5,461
$2,253

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

AtlantaMesa
Police
$315
$0
Fire Protection
$464
$422
Highways & Roads
$513
$192
Education
$25
$0
Public Welfare
$1,587
$829
Health
$0
$147
Hospitals
$55
$537
Parks & Recreation
$1,274
$953
Housing
$4,594
$4,190
Sewerage
$343
$38
Utilities
$8,026
$2,376
Other
$8,262
$3,082
A
Atlanta, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 85/100
Excellent fiscal health
A
Mesa, AZ
Fiscal Health Score: 90/100
Excellent fiscal health

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