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

Erie, PA vs Lancaster, PA

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

Summary

Lancaster spends 15.5% more per capita than Erie ($7,957/person difference). Lancaster, PA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 51/100).

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
Lancaster, PA
Pop. 57,970
C
51/100
Budget Balance45
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Erie
Lancaster
Total Spending
$4.1B
$3.0B
Spending / Capita
$43,394
$51,351
Total Revenue
$307.4M
$1.4B
Revenue / Capita
$3,241
$24,786
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
94,826
57,970
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Erie$3,410
Lancaster$5,263
Fire Protection
Erie$534
Lancaster$4,067
Highways & Roads
Erie$1,399
Lancaster$500
Parks & Recreation
Erie$0
Lancaster$278
Health
Erie$788
Lancaster$417

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ErieLancaster
Sales Tax
$0
$72
Intergovernmental
$3,241
$24,786
Other
$6,483
$4,613

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ErieLancaster
Police
$3,410
$5,263
Fire Protection
$534
$4,067
Highways & Roads
$1,399
$500
Public Welfare
$61
$24
Health
$788
$417
Hospitals
$403
$6,387
Parks & Recreation
$0
$278
Housing
$0
$2,619
Sewerage
$76
$0
Utilities
$21,061
$7,457
Interest on Debt
$0
$76
Other
$15,662
$24,262
D
Erie, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 42/100
Below average fiscal health
C
Lancaster, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 51/100
Average fiscal health

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