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

Erie, PA vs Reading, PA

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

Summary

Erie spends 165.8% more per capita than Reading ($27,066/person difference). Reading, PA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 86/100).

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
Reading, PA
Pop. 94,601
A
86/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency74
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Erie
Reading
Total Spending
$4.1B
$1.5B
Spending / Capita
$43,394
$16,327
Total Revenue
$307.4M
$2.1B
Revenue / Capita
$3,241
$22,211
Total Debt
$0
$8.3M
Debt / Capita
$0
$87
Population
94,826
94,601
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Erie$3,410
Reading$0
Fire Protection
Erie$534
Reading$256
Highways & Roads
Erie$1,399
Reading$92
Parks & Recreation
Erie$0
Reading$826
Health
Erie$788
Reading$180

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ErieReading
Property Tax
$0
$47
Sales Tax
$0
$60
Income Tax
$0
$956
Intergovernmental
$3,241
$767
Charges & Fees
$0
$3,742
Other
$6,483
$6,157

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ErieReading
Police
$3,410
$0
Fire Protection
$534
$256
Highways & Roads
$1,399
$92
Public Welfare
$61
$1,502
Health
$788
$180
Hospitals
$403
$672
Parks & Recreation
$0
$826
Housing
$0
$4,415
Sewerage
$76
$0
Utilities
$21,061
$3,304
Other
$15,662
$5,080
D
Erie, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 42/100
Below average fiscal health
A
Reading, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 86/100
Excellent fiscal health

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