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

Oakland, CA vs Mesa, AZ

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

Summary

Oakland spends 135.4% more per capita than Mesa ($17,286/person difference). Mesa, AZ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 90/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Oakland, CA
Pop. 437,825
B
72/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency43
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Mesa, AZ
Pop. 503,390
A
90/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Oakland
Mesa
Total Spending
$13.2B
$6.4B
Spending / Capita
$30,055
$12,768
Total Revenue
$18.5B
$18.0B
Revenue / Capita
$42,277
$35,688
Total Debt
$0
$236.3M
Debt / Capita
$0
$469
Population
437,825
503,390
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Oakland$1
Mesa$422
Highways & Roads
Oakland$0
Mesa$192
Parks & Recreation
Oakland$955
Mesa$953
Health
Oakland$1,016
Mesa$147

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

OaklandMesa
Property Tax
$0
$47
Sales Tax
$522
$463
Income Tax
$0
$1,376
Intergovernmental
$42,277
$1,383
Charges & Fees
$0
$3,334
Other
$4,337
$2,253

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

OaklandMesa
Fire Protection
$1
$422
Highways & Roads
$0
$192
Public Welfare
$2,426
$829
Health
$1,016
$147
Hospitals
$2,498
$537
Parks & Recreation
$955
$953
Housing
$7,811
$4,190
Sewerage
$1,417
$38
Utilities
$0
$2,376
Other
$13,929
$3,082
B
Oakland, CA
Fiscal Health Score: 72/100
Good fiscal health
A
Mesa, AZ
Fiscal Health Score: 90/100
Excellent fiscal health

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