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

Camden, NJ vs Paterson, NJ

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

Summary

Camden spends 246.0% more per capita than Paterson ($39,632/person difference). Paterson, NJ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 64/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Camden, NJ
Pop. 71,799
D
44/100
Budget Balance14
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Paterson, NJ
Pop. 157,864
C
64/100
Budget Balance44
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency84
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Camden
Paterson
Total Spending
$4.0B
$2.5B
Spending / Capita
$55,742
$16,110
Total Revenue
$735.2M
$1.0B
Revenue / Capita
$10,239
$6,517
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
71,799
157,864
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Camden$5,797
Paterson$0
Fire Protection
Camden$840
Paterson$142
Highways & Roads
Camden$155
Paterson$168
Parks & Recreation
Camden$570
Paterson$349
Education
Camden$9,407
Paterson$0
Health
Camden$1,329
Paterson$138

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

CamdenPaterson
Property Tax
$70
$17
Sales Tax
$90
$450
Income Tax
$1,040
$0
Intergovernmental
$10,075
$6,517
Other
$2,131
$1,614

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

CamdenPaterson
Police
$5,797
$0
Fire Protection
$840
$142
Highways & Roads
$155
$168
Education
$9,407
$0
Public Welfare
$1,010
$294
Health
$1,329
$138
Hospitals
$0
$2,937
Parks & Recreation
$570
$349
Housing
$4,700
$2,861
Sewerage
$0
$1
Utilities
$4,198
$71
General Admin
$32
$0
Other
$27,704
$9,148
D
Camden, NJ
Fiscal Health Score: 44/100
Below average fiscal health
C
Paterson, NJ
Fiscal Health Score: 64/100
Average fiscal health

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