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

Bakersfield, CA vs Arlington, TX

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

Summary

Arlington spends 1.6% more per capita than Bakersfield ($193/person difference). Arlington, TX has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 83/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Bakersfield, CA
Pop. 404,321
C
56/100
Budget Balance2
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Arlington, TX
Pop. 393,469
A
83/100
Budget Balance78
Debt Burden96
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity89
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Bakersfield
Arlington
Total Spending
$4.7B
$4.6B
Spending / Capita
$11,576
$11,769
Total Revenue
$1.6B
$23.8B
Revenue / Capita
$3,862
$60,454
Total Debt
$0
$233.8M
Debt / Capita
$0
$594
Population
404,321
393,469
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Bakersfield$0
Arlington$160
Highways & Roads
Bakersfield$0
Arlington$149
Parks & Recreation
Bakersfield$741
Arlington$1,352
Health
Bakersfield$0
Arlington$219

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

BakersfieldArlington
Property Tax
$1
$0
Sales Tax
$20
$507
Income Tax
$1,909
$73
Intergovernmental
$3,862
$25,062
Charges & Fees
$1,024
$2,949
Other
$1,915
$3,897

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

BakersfieldArlington
Fire Protection
$0
$160
Highways & Roads
$0
$149
Public Welfare
$840
$826
Health
$0
$219
Hospitals
$425
$152
Parks & Recreation
$741
$1,352
Housing
$3,391
$2,981
Sewerage
$265
$141
Utilities
$2,679
$1,385
Other
$3,234
$4,404
C
Bakersfield, CA
Fiscal Health Score: 56/100
Average fiscal health
A
Arlington, TX
Fiscal Health Score: 83/100
Excellent fiscal health

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