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

Columbus, OH vs Phoenix, AZ

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

Summary

Columbus spends 19.4% more per capita than Phoenix ($3,065/person difference). Phoenix, AZ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 67/100).

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
Phoenix, AZ
Pop. 1,609,456
B
67/100
Budget Balance93
Debt Burden45
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Columbus
Phoenix
Total Spending
$17.0B
$25.4B
Spending / Capita
$18,858
$15,793
Total Revenue
$0
$81.6B
Revenue / Capita
$0
$50,709
Total Debt
$1.0B
$1.9B
Debt / Capita
$1,145
$1,156
Population
902,449
1,609,456
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Columbus$1,016
Phoenix$170
Highways & Roads
Columbus$224
Phoenix$86
Parks & Recreation
Columbus$2,168
Phoenix$652
Education
Columbus$0
Phoenix$214
Health
Columbus$0
Phoenix$258

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbusPhoenix
Property Tax
$10
$7
Sales Tax
$234
$338
Income Tax
$1
$1,260
Intergovernmental
$0
$50,709
Charges & Fees
$2,389
$2,998
Other
$5,248
$2,038

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbusPhoenix
Fire Protection
$1,016
$170
Highways & Roads
$224
$86
Education
$0
$214
Public Welfare
$878
$507
Health
$0
$258
Hospitals
$953
$1,521
Parks & Recreation
$2,168
$652
Housing
$4,303
$3,879
Sewerage
$1
$388
Utilities
$1,719
$2,480
Interest on Debt
$0
$1,760
Other
$7,595
$3,878
C
Columbus, OH
Fiscal Health Score: 52/100
Average fiscal health
B
Phoenix, AZ
Fiscal Health Score: 67/100
Good fiscal health

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