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

Atlanta, GA vs Washington, DC

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

Summary

Washington spends 89.5% more per capita than Atlanta ($217,884/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
Washington, DC
Pop. 670,587
D
41/100
Budget Balance45
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Atlanta
Washington
Total Spending
$12.6B
$163.2B
Spending / Capita
$25,457
$243,341
Total Revenue
$77.6B
$186.2B
Revenue / Capita
$156,803
$277,701
Total Debt
$0
$1.7B
Debt / Capita
$0
$2,516
Population
494,838
670,587
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Atlanta$315
Washington$4,183
Fire Protection
Atlanta$464
Washington$4,262
Highways & Roads
Atlanta$513
Washington$1,435
Parks & Recreation
Atlanta$1,274
Washington$5,459
Education
Atlanta$25
Washington$53,224
Health
Atlanta$0
Washington$1,009

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

AtlantaWashington
Property Tax
$419
$25
Sales Tax
$0
$991
Income Tax
$1,292
$141
Intergovernmental
$9,121
$18,754
Charges & Fees
$5,645
$4,070
Other
$5,461
$11,518

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

AtlantaWashington
Police
$315
$4,183
Fire Protection
$464
$4,262
Highways & Roads
$513
$1,435
Education
$25
$53,224
Public Welfare
$1,587
$2,498
Health
$0
$1,009
Hospitals
$55
$17,668
Parks & Recreation
$1,274
$5,459
Housing
$4,594
$10,296
Sewerage
$343
$2,881
Utilities
$8,026
$88,990
Interest on Debt
$0
$58
General Admin
$0
$3,225
Other
$8,262
$48,155
A
Atlanta, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 85/100
Excellent fiscal health
D
Washington, DC
Fiscal Health Score: 41/100
Below average fiscal health

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