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

Harrisburg, PA vs Bethlehem, PA

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

Summary

Bethlehem spends 99.5% more per capita than Harrisburg ($14,395/person difference). Harrisburg, PA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 90/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Harrisburg, PA
Pop. 50,055
A
90/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Bethlehem, PA
Pop. 76,555
A
88/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency86
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Harrisburg
Bethlehem
Total Spending
$3.7M
$1.1B
Spending / Capita
$73
$14,468
Total Revenue
$301.0M
$1.9B
Revenue / Capita
$6,013
$25,113
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
50,055
76,555
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Harrisburg$0
Bethlehem$1,642
Highways & Roads
Harrisburg$0
Bethlehem$668
Parks & Recreation
Harrisburg$0
Bethlehem$634
Health
Harrisburg$0
Bethlehem$187

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

HarrisburgBethlehem
Property Tax
$0
$1
Sales Tax
$0
$405
Income Tax
$0
$308
Intergovernmental
-$1,698
$3,237
Charges & Fees
$0
$3,296
Other
$0
$3,969

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

HarrisburgBethlehem
Fire Protection
$0
$1,642
Highways & Roads
$0
$668
Public Welfare
$0
$1,218
Health
$0
$187
Hospitals
$73
$526
Parks & Recreation
$0
$634
Housing
$0
$2,229
Sewerage
$0
$68
Utilities
$0
$2,000
Other
$0
$5,296
A
Harrisburg, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 90/100
Excellent fiscal health
A
Bethlehem, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 88/100
Excellent fiscal health

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