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

Bethlehem, PA vs Scranton, PA

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

Summary

Bethlehem spends 38.5% more per capita than Scranton ($4,022/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
Scranton, PA
Pop. 76,119
A
83/100
Budget Balance73
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Bethlehem
Scranton
Total Spending
$1.1B
$795.1M
Spending / Capita
$14,468
$10,446
Total Revenue
$1.9B
$779.9M
Revenue / Capita
$25,113
$10,245
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
76,555
76,119
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Bethlehem$1,642
Scranton$1,029
Highways & Roads
Bethlehem$668
Scranton$156
Parks & Recreation
Bethlehem$634
Scranton$130
Health
Bethlehem$187
Scranton$411

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

BethlehemScranton
Property Tax
$1
$28
Sales Tax
$405
$3
Income Tax
$308
$1,114
Intergovernmental
$3,237
$114
Charges & Fees
$3,296
$0
Other
$3,969
$47

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

BethlehemScranton
Fire Protection
$1,642
$1,029
Highways & Roads
$668
$156
Public Welfare
$1,218
$115
Health
$187
$411
Hospitals
$526
$0
Parks & Recreation
$634
$130
Housing
$2,229
$3,373
Sewerage
$68
$0
Utilities
$2,000
$668
Other
$5,296
$4,564
A
Bethlehem, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 88/100
Excellent fiscal health
A
Scranton, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 83/100
Excellent fiscal health

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