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

Atlanta, GA vs Phoenix, AZ

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

Summary

Atlanta spends 61.2% more per capita than Phoenix ($9,664/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
Phoenix, AZ
Pop. 1,609,456
B
67/100
Budget Balance93
Debt Burden45
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Atlanta
Phoenix
Total Spending
$12.6B
$25.4B
Spending / Capita
$25,457
$15,793
Total Revenue
$77.6B
$81.6B
Revenue / Capita
$156,803
$50,709
Total Debt
$0
$1.9B
Debt / Capita
$0
$1,156
Population
494,838
1,609,456
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Atlanta$315
Phoenix$0
Fire Protection
Atlanta$464
Phoenix$170
Highways & Roads
Atlanta$513
Phoenix$86
Parks & Recreation
Atlanta$1,274
Phoenix$652
Education
Atlanta$25
Phoenix$214
Health
Atlanta$0
Phoenix$258

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

AtlantaPhoenix
Property Tax
$419
$7
Sales Tax
$0
$338
Income Tax
$1,292
$1,260
Intergovernmental
$9,121
$50,709
Charges & Fees
$5,645
$2,998
Other
$5,461
$2,038

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

AtlantaPhoenix
Police
$315
$0
Fire Protection
$464
$170
Highways & Roads
$513
$86
Education
$25
$214
Public Welfare
$1,587
$507
Health
$0
$258
Hospitals
$55
$1,521
Parks & Recreation
$1,274
$652
Housing
$4,594
$3,879
Sewerage
$343
$388
Utilities
$8,026
$2,480
Interest on Debt
$0
$1,760
Other
$8,262
$3,878
A
Atlanta, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 85/100
Excellent fiscal health
B
Phoenix, AZ
Fiscal Health Score: 67/100
Good fiscal health

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