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

Erie, PA vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Summary

Philadelphia spends 22.9% more per capita than Erie ($12,878/person difference). Philadelphia, PA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (D, 45/100).

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
Philadelphia, PA
Pop. 1,593,208
D
45/100
Budget Balance17
Debt Burden53
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Erie
Philadelphia
Total Spending
$4.1B
$89.7B
Spending / Capita
$43,394
$56,272
Total Revenue
$307.4M
$64.4B
Revenue / Capita
$3,241
$40,425
Total Debt
$0
$1.7B
Debt / Capita
$0
$1,069
Population
94,826
1,593,208
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Erie$3,410
Philadelphia$1,505
Fire Protection
Erie$534
Philadelphia$7,082
Highways & Roads
Erie$1,399
Philadelphia$1,215
Parks & Recreation
Erie$0
Philadelphia$593
Health
Erie$788
Philadelphia$229

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

EriePhiladelphia
Sales Tax
$0
$107
Income Tax
$0
$8
Intergovernmental
$3,241
$6,288
Charges & Fees
$0
$2,790
Other
$6,483
$4,029

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

EriePhiladelphia
Police
$3,410
$1,505
Fire Protection
$534
$7,082
Highways & Roads
$1,399
$1,215
Public Welfare
$61
$1,456
Health
$788
$229
Hospitals
$403
$4,048
Parks & Recreation
$0
$593
Housing
$0
$4,902
Sewerage
$76
$325
Utilities
$21,061
$4,222
Interest on Debt
$0
$3
Other
$15,662
$30,692
D
Erie, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 42/100
Below average fiscal health
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health

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