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

Columbus, OH vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Summary

Philadelphia spends 66.5% more per capita than Columbus ($37,414/person difference). Columbus, OH has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 52/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Columbus, OH
Pop. 902,449
C
52/100
Budget Balance32
Debt Burden46
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency94
Revenue Diversity0
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
Columbus
Philadelphia
Total Spending
$17.0B
$89.7B
Spending / Capita
$18,858
$56,272
Total Revenue
$0
$64.4B
Revenue / Capita
$0
$40,425
Total Debt
$1.0B
$1.7B
Debt / Capita
$1,145
$1,069
Population
902,449
1,593,208
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Columbus$0
Philadelphia$1,505
Fire Protection
Columbus$1,016
Philadelphia$7,082
Highways & Roads
Columbus$224
Philadelphia$1,215
Parks & Recreation
Columbus$2,168
Philadelphia$593
Health
Columbus$0
Philadelphia$229

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbusPhiladelphia
Property Tax
$10
$0
Sales Tax
$234
$107
Income Tax
$1
$8
Intergovernmental
$0
$6,288
Charges & Fees
$2,389
$2,790
Other
$5,248
$4,029

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbusPhiladelphia
Police
$0
$1,505
Fire Protection
$1,016
$7,082
Highways & Roads
$224
$1,215
Public Welfare
$878
$1,456
Health
$0
$229
Hospitals
$953
$4,048
Parks & Recreation
$2,168
$593
Housing
$4,303
$4,902
Sewerage
$1
$325
Utilities
$1,719
$4,222
Interest on Debt
$0
$3
Other
$7,595
$30,692
C
Columbus, OH
Fiscal Health Score: 52/100
Average fiscal health
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health

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