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

Erie, PA vs Bethlehem, PA

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

Summary

Erie spends 199.9% more per capita than Bethlehem ($28,926/person difference). Bethlehem, PA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 88/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Erie, PA
Pop. 94,826
D
42/100
Budget Balance7
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Bethlehem, PA
Pop. 76,555
A
88/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency86
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Erie
Bethlehem
Total Spending
$4.1B
$1.1B
Spending / Capita
$43,394
$14,468
Total Revenue
$307.4M
$1.9B
Revenue / Capita
$3,241
$25,113
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
94,826
76,555
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Erie$3,410
Bethlehem$0
Fire Protection
Erie$534
Bethlehem$1,642
Highways & Roads
Erie$1,399
Bethlehem$668
Parks & Recreation
Erie$0
Bethlehem$634
Health
Erie$788
Bethlehem$187

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ErieBethlehem
Property Tax
$0
$1
Sales Tax
$0
$405
Income Tax
$0
$308
Intergovernmental
$3,241
$3,237
Charges & Fees
$0
$3,296
Other
$6,483
$3,969

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ErieBethlehem
Police
$3,410
$0
Fire Protection
$534
$1,642
Highways & Roads
$1,399
$668
Public Welfare
$61
$1,218
Health
$788
$187
Hospitals
$403
$526
Parks & Recreation
$0
$634
Housing
$0
$2,229
Sewerage
$76
$68
Utilities
$21,061
$2,000
Other
$15,662
$5,296
D
Erie, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 42/100
Below average fiscal health
A
Bethlehem, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 88/100
Excellent fiscal health

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