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

Bethlehem, PA vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Summary

Philadelphia spends 74.3% more per capita than Bethlehem ($41,804/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
Philadelphia, PA
Pop. 1,593,208
D
45/100
Budget Balance17
Debt Burden53
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Bethlehem
Philadelphia
Total Spending
$1.1B
$89.7B
Spending / Capita
$14,468
$56,272
Total Revenue
$1.9B
$64.4B
Revenue / Capita
$25,113
$40,425
Total Debt
$0
$1.7B
Debt / Capita
$0
$1,069
Population
76,555
1,593,208
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Bethlehem$0
Philadelphia$1,505
Fire Protection
Bethlehem$1,642
Philadelphia$7,082
Highways & Roads
Bethlehem$668
Philadelphia$1,215
Parks & Recreation
Bethlehem$634
Philadelphia$593
Health
Bethlehem$187
Philadelphia$229

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

BethlehemPhiladelphia
Property Tax
$1
$0
Sales Tax
$405
$107
Income Tax
$308
$8
Intergovernmental
$3,237
$6,288
Charges & Fees
$3,296
$2,790
Other
$3,969
$4,029

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

BethlehemPhiladelphia
Police
$0
$1,505
Fire Protection
$1,642
$7,082
Highways & Roads
$668
$1,215
Public Welfare
$1,218
$1,456
Health
$187
$229
Hospitals
$526
$4,048
Parks & Recreation
$634
$593
Housing
$2,229
$4,902
Sewerage
$68
$325
Utilities
$2,000
$4,222
Interest on Debt
$0
$3
Other
$5,296
$30,692
A
Bethlehem, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 88/100
Excellent fiscal health
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health

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