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

Baltimore, MD vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Summary

Baltimore spends 20.7% more per capita than Philadelphia ($11,663/person difference). Baltimore, MD has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 70/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Baltimore, MD
Pop. 584,548
B
70/100
Budget Balance79
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
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
Baltimore
Philadelphia
Total Spending
$39.7B
$89.7B
Spending / Capita
$67,935
$56,272
Total Revenue
$41.3B
$64.4B
Revenue / Capita
$70,679
$40,425
Total Debt
$0
$1.7B
Debt / Capita
$0
$1,069
Population
584,548
1,593,208
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Baltimore$820
Philadelphia$1,505
Fire Protection
Baltimore$1,214
Philadelphia$7,082
Highways & Roads
Baltimore$676
Philadelphia$1,215
Parks & Recreation
Baltimore$384
Philadelphia$593
Education
Baltimore$35,510
Philadelphia$0
Health
Baltimore$757
Philadelphia$229

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

BaltimorePhiladelphia
Property Tax
$84
$0
Sales Tax
$55
$107
Income Tax
$375
$8
Intergovernmental
$5,085
$6,288
Charges & Fees
$2,192
$2,790
Other
$4,765
$4,029

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

BaltimorePhiladelphia
Police
$820
$1,505
Fire Protection
$1,214
$7,082
Highways & Roads
$676
$1,215
Education
$35,510
$0
Public Welfare
$714
$1,456
Health
$757
$229
Hospitals
$1,877
$4,048
Parks & Recreation
$384
$593
Housing
$4,087
$4,902
Sewerage
$87
$325
Utilities
$3,809
$4,222
Interest on Debt
$0
$3
General Admin
$19
$0
Other
$17,981
$30,692
B
Baltimore, MD
Fiscal Health Score: 70/100
Good fiscal health
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health

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