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

Elizabeth, NJ vs Trenton, NJ

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

Summary

Trenton spends 69.9% more per capita than Elizabeth ($48,884/person difference). Elizabeth, NJ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 61/100).

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
Trenton, NJ
Pop. 90,055
C
50/100
Budget Balance9
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity72
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Elizabeth
Trenton
Total Spending
$2.9B
$6.3B
Spending / Capita
$21,067
$69,951
Total Revenue
$1.8B
$1.0B
Revenue / Capita
$13,041
$11,558
Total Debt
$0
$10.0M
Debt / Capita
$0
$111
Population
135,665
90,055
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Elizabeth$437
Trenton$333
Highways & Roads
Elizabeth$599
Trenton$0
Parks & Recreation
Elizabeth$980
Trenton$580
Education
Elizabeth$0
Trenton$47,653
Health
Elizabeth$332
Trenton$96

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ElizabethTrenton
Property Tax
$0
$22
Sales Tax
$528
$769
Income Tax
$24
$0
Intergovernmental
$1,021
$1,876
Charges & Fees
$2,319
$5,281
Other
$0
$432

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ElizabethTrenton
Fire Protection
$437
$333
Highways & Roads
$599
$0
Education
$0
$47,653
Public Welfare
$225
$362
Health
$332
$96
Hospitals
$3,386
$2,234
Parks & Recreation
$980
$580
Housing
$3,768
$3,325
Sewerage
$178
$176
Utilities
$928
$5,430
Other
$10,234
$9,760
C
Elizabeth, NJ
Fiscal Health Score: 61/100
Average fiscal health
C
Trenton, NJ
Fiscal Health Score: 50/100
Average fiscal health

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