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

Lancaster, PA vs Erie, PA

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

Summary

Lancaster spends 18.3% more per capita than Erie ($7,957/person difference). Lancaster, PA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 51/100).

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
Erie, PA
Pop. 94,826
D
42/100
Budget Balance7
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Lancaster
Erie
Total Spending
$3.0B
$4.1B
Spending / Capita
$51,351
$43,394
Total Revenue
$1.4B
$307.4M
Revenue / Capita
$24,786
$3,241
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
57,970
94,826
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Lancaster$5,263
Erie$3,410
Fire Protection
Lancaster$4,067
Erie$534
Highways & Roads
Lancaster$500
Erie$1,399
Parks & Recreation
Lancaster$278
Erie$0
Health
Lancaster$417
Erie$788

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

LancasterErie
Sales Tax
$72
$0
Intergovernmental
$24,786
$3,241
Other
$4,613
$6,483

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

LancasterErie
Police
$5,263
$3,410
Fire Protection
$4,067
$534
Highways & Roads
$500
$1,399
Public Welfare
$24
$61
Health
$417
$788
Hospitals
$6,387
$403
Parks & Recreation
$278
$0
Housing
$2,619
$0
Sewerage
$0
$76
Utilities
$7,457
$21,061
Interest on Debt
$76
$0
Other
$24,262
$15,662
C
Lancaster, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 51/100
Average fiscal health
D
Erie, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 42/100
Below average fiscal health

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