Gilbert, AZ vs Mesa, AZ
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Mesa, AZ and Gilbert, AZ spend within 13.6% of each other per resident — $12,768 versus $11,239 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Mesa, AZ holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 90/100 (grade A) against 60/100 (grade C) for Gilbert, AZ — a 30-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, Mesa, AZ carries the lighter load at $469 per resident versus $1,867 for Gilbert, AZ. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: parks and recreation leads in Gilbert, AZ at $1,066 per resident and in Mesa, AZ at $953.
They also fund themselves differently: intergovernmental transfers is the largest single revenue source in Gilbert, AZ at 100% of total revenue, whereas Mesa, AZ relies most on charges and fees at 9%.
Summary
Mesa spends 12.0% more per capita than Gilbert ($1,529/person difference). Mesa, AZ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 90/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $2 | $47 |
| Sales Tax | $244 | $463 |
| Income Tax | $1,096 | $1,376 |
| Intergovernmental | $35,750 | $1,383 |
| Charges & Fees | $2,411 | $3,334 |
| Other | $1,553 | $2,253 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Police | $39 | $0 |
| Fire Protection | $133 | $422 |
| Highways & Roads | $191 | $192 |
| Public Welfare | $955 | $829 |
| Health | $142 | $147 |
| Hospitals | $29 | $537 |
| Parks & Recreation | $1,066 | $953 |
| Housing | $2,707 | $4,190 |
| Sewerage | $208 | $38 |
| Utilities | $2,287 | $2,376 |
| Interest on Debt | $25 | $0 |
| Other | $3,455 | $3,082 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.