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

Atlanta, GA vs San Diego, CA

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

Summary

San Diego spends 41.2% more per capita than Atlanta ($17,849/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
San Diego, CA
Pop. 1,383,987
C
53/100
Budget Balance14
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity96
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Atlanta
San Diego
Total Spending
$12.6B
$59.9B
Spending / Capita
$25,457
$43,306
Total Revenue
$77.6B
$13.4B
Revenue / Capita
$156,803
$9,662
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
494,838
1,383,987
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Atlanta$315
San Diego$3,335
Fire Protection
Atlanta$464
San Diego$1,278
Highways & Roads
Atlanta$513
San Diego$1,408
Parks & Recreation
Atlanta$1,274
San Diego$436
Education
Atlanta$25
San Diego$2,005
Health
Atlanta$0
San Diego$411

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

AtlantaSan Diego
Property Tax
$419
$124
Sales Tax
$0
$63
Income Tax
$1,292
$194
Intergovernmental
$9,121
$57
Charges & Fees
$5,645
$14
Other
$5,461
$3,801

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

AtlantaSan Diego
Police
$315
$3,335
Fire Protection
$464
$1,278
Highways & Roads
$513
$1,408
Education
$25
$2,005
Public Welfare
$1,587
$700
Health
$0
$411
Hospitals
$55
$0
Parks & Recreation
$1,274
$436
Housing
$4,594
$4,476
Sewerage
$343
$43
Utilities
$8,026
$11,704
Other
$8,262
$17,509
A
Atlanta, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 85/100
Excellent fiscal health
C
San Diego, CA
Fiscal Health Score: 53/100
Average fiscal health

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