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

Philadelphia, PA vs Allentown, PA

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

Summary

Philadelphia spends 268.9% more per capita than Allentown ($41,020/person difference). Allentown, PA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 68/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Philadelphia, PA
Pop. 1,593,208
D
45/100
Budget Balance17
Debt Burden53
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Allentown, PA
Pop. 125,292
B
68/100
Budget Balance22
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency90
Revenue Diversity84
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Philadelphia
Allentown
Total Spending
$89.7B
$1.9B
Spending / Capita
$56,272
$15,252
Total Revenue
$64.4B
$1.0B
Revenue / Capita
$40,425
$8,091
Total Debt
$1.7B
$0
Debt / Capita
$1,069
$0
Population
1,593,208
125,292
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Philadelphia$1,505
Allentown$0
Fire Protection
Philadelphia$7,082
Allentown$333
Highways & Roads
Philadelphia$1,215
Allentown$0
Parks & Recreation
Philadelphia$593
Allentown$620
Health
Philadelphia$229
Allentown$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaAllentown
Property Tax
$0
$37
Sales Tax
$107
$55
Income Tax
$8
$1,166
Intergovernmental
$6,288
$210
Charges & Fees
$2,790
$0
Other
$4,029
$3,410

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaAllentown
Police
$1,505
$0
Fire Protection
$7,082
$333
Highways & Roads
$1,215
$0
Public Welfare
$1,456
$1,275
Health
$229
$0
Hospitals
$4,048
$1,505
Parks & Recreation
$593
$620
Housing
$4,902
$3,312
Sewerage
$325
$0
Utilities
$4,222
$2,206
Interest on Debt
$3
$0
Other
$30,692
$6,001
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health
B
Allentown, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 68/100
Good fiscal health

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