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

Lancaster, PA vs Allentown, PA

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

Summary

Lancaster spends 236.7% more per capita than Allentown ($36,098/person difference). Allentown, PA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 68/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Lancaster, PA
Pop. 57,970
C
51/100
Budget Balance45
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Allentown, PA
Pop. 125,292
B
68/100
Budget Balance22
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency90
Revenue Diversity84
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Lancaster
Allentown
Total Spending
$3.0B
$1.9B
Spending / Capita
$51,351
$15,252
Total Revenue
$1.4B
$1.0B
Revenue / Capita
$24,786
$8,091
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
57,970
125,292
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Lancaster$5,263
Allentown$0
Fire Protection
Lancaster$4,067
Allentown$333
Highways & Roads
Lancaster$500
Allentown$0
Parks & Recreation
Lancaster$278
Allentown$620
Health
Lancaster$417
Allentown$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

LancasterAllentown
Property Tax
$0
$37
Sales Tax
$72
$55
Income Tax
$0
$1,166
Intergovernmental
$24,786
$210
Other
$4,613
$3,410

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

LancasterAllentown
Police
$5,263
$0
Fire Protection
$4,067
$333
Highways & Roads
$500
$0
Public Welfare
$24
$1,275
Health
$417
$0
Hospitals
$6,387
$1,505
Parks & Recreation
$278
$620
Housing
$2,619
$3,312
Utilities
$7,457
$2,206
Interest on Debt
$76
$0
Other
$24,262
$6,001
C
Lancaster, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 51/100
Average fiscal health
B
Allentown, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 68/100
Good fiscal health

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