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

Bethlehem, PA vs Allentown, PA

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

Summary

Allentown spends 5.1% more per capita than Bethlehem ($785/person difference). Bethlehem, PA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 88/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Bethlehem, PA
Pop. 76,555
A
88/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency86
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Allentown, PA
Pop. 125,292
B
68/100
Budget Balance22
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency90
Revenue Diversity84
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Bethlehem
Allentown
Total Spending
$1.1B
$1.9B
Spending / Capita
$14,468
$15,252
Total Revenue
$1.9B
$1.0B
Revenue / Capita
$25,113
$8,091
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
76,555
125,292
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Bethlehem$1,642
Allentown$333
Highways & Roads
Bethlehem$668
Allentown$0
Parks & Recreation
Bethlehem$634
Allentown$620
Health
Bethlehem$187
Allentown$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

BethlehemAllentown
Property Tax
$1
$37
Sales Tax
$405
$55
Income Tax
$308
$1,166
Intergovernmental
$3,237
$210
Charges & Fees
$3,296
$0
Other
$3,969
$3,410

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

BethlehemAllentown
Fire Protection
$1,642
$333
Highways & Roads
$668
$0
Public Welfare
$1,218
$1,275
Health
$187
$0
Hospitals
$526
$1,505
Parks & Recreation
$634
$620
Housing
$2,229
$3,312
Sewerage
$68
$0
Utilities
$2,000
$2,206
Other
$5,296
$6,001
A
Bethlehem, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 88/100
Excellent fiscal health
B
Allentown, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 68/100
Good fiscal health

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