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

Austin, TX vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Summary

Philadelphia spends 61.3% more per capita than Austin ($34,500/person difference). Austin, TX has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 75/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Austin, TX
Pop. 958,202
B
75/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden38
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency80
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
Austin
Philadelphia
Total Spending
$20.9B
$89.7B
Spending / Capita
$21,772
$56,272
Total Revenue
$74.4B
$64.4B
Revenue / Capita
$77,600
$40,425
Total Debt
$1.2B
$1.7B
Debt / Capita
$1,229
$1,069
Population
958,202
1,593,208
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Austin$0
Philadelphia$1,505
Fire Protection
Austin$634
Philadelphia$7,082
Highways & Roads
Austin$0
Philadelphia$1,215
Parks & Recreation
Austin$1,801
Philadelphia$593
Education
Austin$51
Philadelphia$0
Health
Austin$517
Philadelphia$229

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

AustinPhiladelphia
Sales Tax
$526
$107
Income Tax
$1,465
$8
Intergovernmental
$14,031
$6,288
Charges & Fees
$3,247
$2,790
Other
$5,645
$4,029

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

AustinPhiladelphia
Police
$0
$1,505
Fire Protection
$634
$7,082
Highways & Roads
$0
$1,215
Education
$51
$0
Public Welfare
$1,837
$1,456
Health
$517
$229
Hospitals
$664
$4,048
Parks & Recreation
$1,801
$593
Housing
$3,741
$4,902
Sewerage
$865
$325
Utilities
$3,264
$4,222
Interest on Debt
$0
$3
Other
$8,399
$30,692
B
Austin, TX
Fiscal Health Score: 75/100
Good fiscal health
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health

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