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

Houston, TX vs Atlanta, GA

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

Summary

Atlanta spends 43.4% more per capita than Houston ($11,057/person difference). Atlanta, GA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 85/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Houston, TX
Pop. 2,296,253
A
83/100
Budget Balance94
Debt Burden72
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Atlanta, GA
Pop. 494,838
A
85/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency64
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Houston
Atlanta
Total Spending
$33.1B
$12.6B
Spending / Capita
$14,400
$25,457
Total Revenue
$127.7B
$77.6B
Revenue / Capita
$55,600
$156,803
Total Debt
$2.0B
$0
Debt / Capita
$863
$0
Population
2,296,253
494,838
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Houston$0
Atlanta$315
Fire Protection
Houston$295
Atlanta$464
Highways & Roads
Houston$175
Atlanta$513
Parks & Recreation
Houston$361
Atlanta$1,274
Education
Houston$0
Atlanta$25
Health
Houston$210
Atlanta$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

HoustonAtlanta
Property Tax
$0
$419
Sales Tax
$181
$0
Income Tax
$39
$1,292
Intergovernmental
$33
$9,121
Charges & Fees
$3,475
$5,645
Other
$3,960
$5,461

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

HoustonAtlanta
Police
$0
$315
Fire Protection
$295
$464
Highways & Roads
$175
$513
Education
$0
$25
Public Welfare
$533
$1,587
Health
$210
$0
Hospitals
$511
$55
Parks & Recreation
$361
$1,274
Housing
$4,288
$4,594
Sewerage
$386
$343
Utilities
$1,339
$8,026
Other
$6,301
$8,262
A
Houston, TX
Fiscal Health Score: 83/100
Excellent fiscal health
A
Atlanta, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 85/100
Excellent fiscal health

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