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

Newark, NJ vs Paterson, NJ

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

Summary

Newark spends 24.2% more per capita than Paterson ($3,904/person difference). Paterson, NJ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 64/100).

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
Paterson, NJ
Pop. 157,864
C
64/100
Budget Balance44
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency84
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Newark
Paterson
Total Spending
$6.2B
$2.5B
Spending / Capita
$20,014
$16,110
Total Revenue
$1.5B
$1.0B
Revenue / Capita
$4,833
$6,517
Total Debt
$72.6M
$0
Debt / Capita
$236
$0
Population
307,355
157,864
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Newark$414
Paterson$142
Highways & Roads
Newark$578
Paterson$168
Parks & Recreation
Newark$350
Paterson$349
Health
Newark$340
Paterson$138

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

NewarkPaterson
Property Tax
$34
$17
Sales Tax
$8
$450
Intergovernmental
$2,457
$6,517
Charges & Fees
$1,848
$0
Other
$2,165
$1,614

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

NewarkPaterson
Fire Protection
$414
$142
Highways & Roads
$578
$168
Public Welfare
$609
$294
Health
$340
$138
Hospitals
$5,702
$2,937
Parks & Recreation
$350
$349
Housing
$5,110
$2,861
Sewerage
$113
$1
Utilities
$2,504
$71
Other
$4,295
$9,148
C
Newark, NJ
Fiscal Health Score: 54/100
Average fiscal health
C
Paterson, NJ
Fiscal Health Score: 64/100
Average fiscal health

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