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

Lancaster, PA vs Scranton, PA

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

Summary

Lancaster spends 391.6% more per capita than Scranton ($40,905/person difference). Scranton, PA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 83/100).

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
Scranton, PA
Pop. 76,119
A
83/100
Budget Balance73
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Lancaster
Scranton
Total Spending
$3.0B
$795.1M
Spending / Capita
$51,351
$10,446
Total Revenue
$1.4B
$779.9M
Revenue / Capita
$24,786
$10,245
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
57,970
76,119
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Lancaster$5,263
Scranton$0
Fire Protection
Lancaster$4,067
Scranton$1,029
Highways & Roads
Lancaster$500
Scranton$156
Parks & Recreation
Lancaster$278
Scranton$130
Health
Lancaster$417
Scranton$411

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

LancasterScranton
Property Tax
$0
$28
Sales Tax
$72
$3
Income Tax
$0
$1,114
Intergovernmental
$24,786
$114
Other
$4,613
$47

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

LancasterScranton
Police
$5,263
$0
Fire Protection
$4,067
$1,029
Highways & Roads
$500
$156
Public Welfare
$24
$115
Health
$417
$411
Hospitals
$6,387
$0
Parks & Recreation
$278
$130
Housing
$2,619
$3,373
Utilities
$7,457
$668
Interest on Debt
$76
$0
Other
$24,262
$4,564
C
Lancaster, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 51/100
Average fiscal health
A
Scranton, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 83/100
Excellent fiscal health

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