Skip to main content
Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Philadelphia, PA vs Atlanta, GA

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

Summary

Philadelphia spends 121.0% more per capita than Atlanta ($30,815/person difference). Atlanta, GA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 85/100).

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
Atlanta, GA
Pop. 494,838
A
85/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency64
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Philadelphia
Atlanta
Total Spending
$89.7B
$12.6B
Spending / Capita
$56,272
$25,457
Total Revenue
$64.4B
$77.6B
Revenue / Capita
$40,425
$156,803
Total Debt
$1.7B
$0
Debt / Capita
$1,069
$0
Population
1,593,208
494,838
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Philadelphia$1,505
Atlanta$315
Fire Protection
Philadelphia$7,082
Atlanta$464
Highways & Roads
Philadelphia$1,215
Atlanta$513
Parks & Recreation
Philadelphia$593
Atlanta$1,274
Education
Philadelphia$0
Atlanta$25
Health
Philadelphia$229
Atlanta$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaAtlanta
Property Tax
$0
$419
Sales Tax
$107
$0
Income Tax
$8
$1,292
Intergovernmental
$6,288
$9,121
Charges & Fees
$2,790
$5,645
Other
$4,029
$5,461

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaAtlanta
Police
$1,505
$315
Fire Protection
$7,082
$464
Highways & Roads
$1,215
$513
Education
$0
$25
Public Welfare
$1,456
$1,587
Health
$229
$0
Hospitals
$4,048
$55
Parks & Recreation
$593
$1,274
Housing
$4,902
$4,594
Sewerage
$325
$343
Utilities
$4,222
$8,026
Interest on Debt
$3
$0
Other
$30,692
$8,262
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health
A
Atlanta, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 85/100
Excellent fiscal health

Compare More Cities