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

Bethlehem, PA vs Erie, PA

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

Summary

Erie spends 66.7% more per capita than Bethlehem ($28,926/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
Erie, PA
Pop. 94,826
D
42/100
Budget Balance7
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Bethlehem
Erie
Total Spending
$1.1B
$4.1B
Spending / Capita
$14,468
$43,394
Total Revenue
$1.9B
$307.4M
Revenue / Capita
$25,113
$3,241
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
76,555
94,826
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Bethlehem$0
Erie$3,410
Fire Protection
Bethlehem$1,642
Erie$534
Highways & Roads
Bethlehem$668
Erie$1,399
Parks & Recreation
Bethlehem$634
Erie$0
Health
Bethlehem$187
Erie$788

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

BethlehemErie
Property Tax
$1
$0
Sales Tax
$405
$0
Income Tax
$308
$0
Intergovernmental
$3,237
$3,241
Charges & Fees
$3,296
$0
Other
$3,969
$6,483

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

BethlehemErie
Police
$0
$3,410
Fire Protection
$1,642
$534
Highways & Roads
$668
$1,399
Public Welfare
$1,218
$61
Health
$187
$788
Hospitals
$526
$403
Parks & Recreation
$634
$0
Housing
$2,229
$0
Sewerage
$68
$76
Utilities
$2,000
$21,061
Other
$5,296
$15,662
A
Bethlehem, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 88/100
Excellent fiscal health
D
Erie, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 42/100
Below average fiscal health

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