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

Philadelphia, PA vs Baltimore, MD

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

Summary

Baltimore spends 17.2% more per capita than Philadelphia ($11,663/person difference). Baltimore, MD has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 70/100).

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
Baltimore, MD
Pop. 584,548
B
70/100
Budget Balance79
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Philadelphia
Baltimore
Total Spending
$89.7B
$39.7B
Spending / Capita
$56,272
$67,935
Total Revenue
$64.4B
$41.3B
Revenue / Capita
$40,425
$70,679
Total Debt
$1.7B
$0
Debt / Capita
$1,069
$0
Population
1,593,208
584,548
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Philadelphia$1,505
Baltimore$820
Fire Protection
Philadelphia$7,082
Baltimore$1,214
Highways & Roads
Philadelphia$1,215
Baltimore$676
Parks & Recreation
Philadelphia$593
Baltimore$384
Education
Philadelphia$0
Baltimore$35,510
Health
Philadelphia$229
Baltimore$757

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaBaltimore
Property Tax
$0
$84
Sales Tax
$107
$55
Income Tax
$8
$375
Intergovernmental
$6,288
$5,085
Charges & Fees
$2,790
$2,192
Other
$4,029
$4,765

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaBaltimore
Police
$1,505
$820
Fire Protection
$7,082
$1,214
Highways & Roads
$1,215
$676
Education
$0
$35,510
Public Welfare
$1,456
$714
Health
$229
$757
Hospitals
$4,048
$1,877
Parks & Recreation
$593
$384
Housing
$4,902
$4,087
Sewerage
$325
$87
Utilities
$4,222
$3,809
Interest on Debt
$3
$0
General Admin
$0
$19
Other
$30,692
$17,981
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health
B
Baltimore, MD
Fiscal Health Score: 70/100
Good fiscal health

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