Gilbert, AZ vs Tempe, AZ
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Tempe, AZ outspends Gilbert, AZ by a wide margin per resident — $22,717 versus $11,239, a 102% difference. A gap this size usually reflects a structurally different service mix or accounting scope rather than a single line item.
Tempe, AZ holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 81/100 (grade A) against 60/100 (grade C) for Gilbert, AZ — a 21-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, Tempe, AZ carries the lighter load at $477 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 Tempe, AZ at $996.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 100% of total revenue in Gilbert, AZ and 7% in Tempe, AZ.
Summary
Tempe spends 50.5% more per capita than Gilbert ($11,478/person difference). Tempe, AZ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 81/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $2 | $3 |
| Sales Tax | $244 | $353 |
| Income Tax | $1,096 | $1,152 |
| Intergovernmental | $35,750 | $3,872 |
| Charges & Fees | $2,411 | $2,554 |
| Other | $1,553 | $3,054 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Police | $39 | $0 |
| Fire Protection | $133 | $425 |
| Highways & Roads | $191 | $603 |
| Public Welfare | $955 | $985 |
| Health | $142 | $189 |
| Hospitals | $29 | $865 |
| Parks & Recreation | $1,066 | $996 |
| Housing | $2,707 | $6,386 |
| Sewerage | $208 | $577 |
| Utilities | $2,287 | $2,702 |
| Interest on Debt | $25 | $2,731 |
| Other | $3,455 | $6,258 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.