Chandler, AZ vs Tucson, AZ
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Tucson, AZ and Chandler, AZ spend within 6.4% of each other per resident — $15,759 versus $14,811 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Chandler, AZ edges Tucson, AZ on the Fiscal Health Score by 4 points — 59/100 (grade C) to 55/100 (grade C). At a margin this narrow the grade is close enough that the factor-level detail matters more than the composite.
On debt, Chandler, AZ carries the lighter load at $10 per resident versus $1,540 for Tucson, AZ. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: parks and recreation leads in Chandler, AZ at $899 per resident and in Tucson, AZ at $1,229.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 100% of total revenue in Chandler, AZ and 100% in Tucson, AZ.
Summary
Tucson spends 6.0% more per capita than Chandler ($948/person difference). Chandler, AZ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 59/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $0 | $5 |
| Sales Tax | $90 | $309 |
| Income Tax | $669 | $1,107 |
| Intergovernmental | $10,136 | $23,276 |
| Charges & Fees | $1,938 | $4,534 |
| Other | $3,477 | $952 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $260 | $330 |
| Highways & Roads | $306 | $0 |
| Public Welfare | $670 | $1,181 |
| Health | $243 | $0 |
| Hospitals | $374 | $1,314 |
| Parks & Recreation | $899 | $1,229 |
| Housing | $3,286 | $3,091 |
| Utilities | $2,461 | $3,555 |
| Interest on Debt | $88 | $1,735 |
| Other | $6,223 | $3,322 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.