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

Erie, PA vs Scranton, PA

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

Summary

Erie spends 315.4% more per capita than Scranton ($32,948/person difference). Scranton, PA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 83/100).

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
Scranton, PA
Pop. 76,119
A
83/100
Budget Balance73
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Erie
Scranton
Total Spending
$4.1B
$795.1M
Spending / Capita
$43,394
$10,446
Total Revenue
$307.4M
$779.9M
Revenue / Capita
$3,241
$10,245
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
94,826
76,119
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Erie$3,410
Scranton$0
Fire Protection
Erie$534
Scranton$1,029
Highways & Roads
Erie$1,399
Scranton$156
Parks & Recreation
Erie$0
Scranton$130
Health
Erie$788
Scranton$411

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ErieScranton
Property Tax
$0
$28
Sales Tax
$0
$3
Income Tax
$0
$1,114
Intergovernmental
$3,241
$114
Other
$6,483
$47

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ErieScranton
Police
$3,410
$0
Fire Protection
$534
$1,029
Highways & Roads
$1,399
$156
Public Welfare
$61
$115
Health
$788
$411
Hospitals
$403
$0
Parks & Recreation
$0
$130
Housing
$0
$3,373
Sewerage
$76
$0
Utilities
$21,061
$668
Other
$15,662
$4,564
D
Erie, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 42/100
Below average fiscal health
A
Scranton, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 83/100
Excellent fiscal health

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