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

Philadelphia, PA vs Austin, TX

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

Summary

Philadelphia spends 158.5% more per capita than Austin ($34,500/person difference). Austin, TX has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 75/100).

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
Austin, TX
Pop. 958,202
B
75/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden38
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency80
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Philadelphia
Austin
Total Spending
$89.7B
$20.9B
Spending / Capita
$56,272
$21,772
Total Revenue
$64.4B
$74.4B
Revenue / Capita
$40,425
$77,600
Total Debt
$1.7B
$1.2B
Debt / Capita
$1,069
$1,229
Population
1,593,208
958,202
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Philadelphia$1,505
Austin$0
Fire Protection
Philadelphia$7,082
Austin$634
Highways & Roads
Philadelphia$1,215
Austin$0
Parks & Recreation
Philadelphia$593
Austin$1,801
Education
Philadelphia$0
Austin$51
Health
Philadelphia$229
Austin$517

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaAustin
Sales Tax
$107
$526
Income Tax
$8
$1,465
Intergovernmental
$6,288
$14,031
Charges & Fees
$2,790
$3,247
Other
$4,029
$5,645

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaAustin
Police
$1,505
$0
Fire Protection
$7,082
$634
Highways & Roads
$1,215
$0
Education
$0
$51
Public Welfare
$1,456
$1,837
Health
$229
$517
Hospitals
$4,048
$664
Parks & Recreation
$593
$1,801
Housing
$4,902
$3,741
Sewerage
$325
$865
Utilities
$4,222
$3,264
Interest on Debt
$3
$0
Other
$30,692
$8,399
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health
B
Austin, TX
Fiscal Health Score: 75/100
Good fiscal health

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