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

Atlanta, GA vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Summary

Philadelphia spends 54.8% more per capita than Atlanta ($30,815/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
Philadelphia, PA
Pop. 1,593,208
D
45/100
Budget Balance17
Debt Burden53
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Atlanta
Philadelphia
Total Spending
$12.6B
$89.7B
Spending / Capita
$25,457
$56,272
Total Revenue
$77.6B
$64.4B
Revenue / Capita
$156,803
$40,425
Total Debt
$0
$1.7B
Debt / Capita
$0
$1,069
Population
494,838
1,593,208
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Atlanta$315
Philadelphia$1,505
Fire Protection
Atlanta$464
Philadelphia$7,082
Highways & Roads
Atlanta$513
Philadelphia$1,215
Parks & Recreation
Atlanta$1,274
Philadelphia$593
Education
Atlanta$25
Philadelphia$0
Health
Atlanta$0
Philadelphia$229

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

AtlantaPhiladelphia
Property Tax
$419
$0
Sales Tax
$0
$107
Income Tax
$1,292
$8
Intergovernmental
$9,121
$6,288
Charges & Fees
$5,645
$2,790
Other
$5,461
$4,029

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

AtlantaPhiladelphia
Police
$315
$1,505
Fire Protection
$464
$7,082
Highways & Roads
$513
$1,215
Education
$25
$0
Public Welfare
$1,587
$1,456
Health
$0
$229
Hospitals
$55
$4,048
Parks & Recreation
$1,274
$593
Housing
$4,594
$4,902
Sewerage
$343
$325
Utilities
$8,026
$4,222
Interest on Debt
$0
$3
Other
$8,262
$30,692
A
Atlanta, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 85/100
Excellent fiscal health
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health

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