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

Elizabeth, NJ vs Paterson, NJ

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

Summary

Elizabeth spends 30.8% more per capita than Paterson ($4,957/person difference). Paterson, NJ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 64/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Elizabeth, NJ
Pop. 135,665
C
61/100
Budget Balance10
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency55
Revenue Diversity100
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
Elizabeth
Paterson
Total Spending
$2.9B
$2.5B
Spending / Capita
$21,067
$16,110
Total Revenue
$1.8B
$1.0B
Revenue / Capita
$13,041
$6,517
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
135,665
157,864
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Elizabeth$437
Paterson$142
Highways & Roads
Elizabeth$599
Paterson$168
Parks & Recreation
Elizabeth$980
Paterson$349
Health
Elizabeth$332
Paterson$138

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ElizabethPaterson
Property Tax
$0
$17
Sales Tax
$528
$450
Income Tax
$24
$0
Intergovernmental
$1,021
$6,517
Charges & Fees
$2,319
$0
Other
$0
$1,614

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ElizabethPaterson
Fire Protection
$437
$142
Highways & Roads
$599
$168
Public Welfare
$225
$294
Health
$332
$138
Hospitals
$3,386
$2,937
Parks & Recreation
$980
$349
Housing
$3,768
$2,861
Sewerage
$178
$1
Utilities
$928
$71
Other
$10,234
$9,148
C
Elizabeth, NJ
Fiscal Health Score: 61/100
Average fiscal health
C
Paterson, NJ
Fiscal Health Score: 64/100
Average fiscal health

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