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

Newark, NJ vs Elizabeth, NJ

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

Summary

Elizabeth spends 5.0% more per capita than Newark ($1,053/person difference). Elizabeth, NJ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 61/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Newark, NJ
Pop. 307,355
C
54/100
Budget Balance1
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency88
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Elizabeth, NJ
Pop. 135,665
C
61/100
Budget Balance10
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency55
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Newark
Elizabeth
Total Spending
$6.2B
$2.9B
Spending / Capita
$20,014
$21,067
Total Revenue
$1.5B
$1.8B
Revenue / Capita
$4,833
$13,041
Total Debt
$72.6M
$0
Debt / Capita
$236
$0
Population
307,355
135,665
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Newark$414
Elizabeth$437
Highways & Roads
Newark$578
Elizabeth$599
Parks & Recreation
Newark$350
Elizabeth$980
Health
Newark$340
Elizabeth$332

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

NewarkElizabeth
Property Tax
$34
$0
Sales Tax
$8
$528
Income Tax
$0
$24
Intergovernmental
$2,457
$1,021
Charges & Fees
$1,848
$2,319
Other
$2,165
$0

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

NewarkElizabeth
Fire Protection
$414
$437
Highways & Roads
$578
$599
Public Welfare
$609
$225
Health
$340
$332
Hospitals
$5,702
$3,386
Parks & Recreation
$350
$980
Housing
$5,110
$3,768
Sewerage
$113
$178
Utilities
$2,504
$928
Other
$4,295
$10,234
C
Newark, NJ
Fiscal Health Score: 54/100
Average fiscal health
C
Elizabeth, NJ
Fiscal Health Score: 61/100
Average fiscal health

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