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

Harrisburg, PA vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Summary

Philadelphia spends 99.9% more per capita than Harrisburg ($56,199/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
Philadelphia, PA
Pop. 1,593,208
D
45/100
Budget Balance17
Debt Burden53
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Harrisburg
Philadelphia
Total Spending
$3.7M
$89.7B
Spending / Capita
$73
$56,272
Total Revenue
$301.0M
$64.4B
Revenue / Capita
$6,013
$40,425
Total Debt
$0
$1.7B
Debt / Capita
$0
$1,069
Population
50,055
1,593,208
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Harrisburg$0
Philadelphia$1,505
Fire Protection
Harrisburg$0
Philadelphia$7,082
Highways & Roads
Harrisburg$0
Philadelphia$1,215
Parks & Recreation
Harrisburg$0
Philadelphia$593
Health
Harrisburg$0
Philadelphia$229

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

HarrisburgPhiladelphia
Sales Tax
$0
$107
Income Tax
$0
$8
Intergovernmental
-$1,698
$6,288
Charges & Fees
$0
$2,790
Other
$0
$4,029

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

HarrisburgPhiladelphia
Police
$0
$1,505
Fire Protection
$0
$7,082
Highways & Roads
$0
$1,215
Public Welfare
$0
$1,456
Health
$0
$229
Hospitals
$73
$4,048
Parks & Recreation
$0
$593
Housing
$0
$4,902
Sewerage
$0
$325
Utilities
$0
$4,222
Interest on Debt
$0
$3
Other
$0
$30,692
A
Harrisburg, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 90/100
Excellent fiscal health
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health

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