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

Philadelphia, PA vs Bethlehem, PA

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

Summary

Philadelphia spends 289.0% more per capita than Bethlehem ($41,804/person difference). Bethlehem, PA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 88/100).

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
Bethlehem, PA
Pop. 76,555
A
88/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency86
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Philadelphia
Bethlehem
Total Spending
$89.7B
$1.1B
Spending / Capita
$56,272
$14,468
Total Revenue
$64.4B
$1.9B
Revenue / Capita
$40,425
$25,113
Total Debt
$1.7B
$0
Debt / Capita
$1,069
$0
Population
1,593,208
76,555
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Philadelphia$1,505
Bethlehem$0
Fire Protection
Philadelphia$7,082
Bethlehem$1,642
Highways & Roads
Philadelphia$1,215
Bethlehem$668
Parks & Recreation
Philadelphia$593
Bethlehem$634
Health
Philadelphia$229
Bethlehem$187

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaBethlehem
Property Tax
$0
$1
Sales Tax
$107
$405
Income Tax
$8
$308
Intergovernmental
$6,288
$3,237
Charges & Fees
$2,790
$3,296
Other
$4,029
$3,969

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaBethlehem
Police
$1,505
$0
Fire Protection
$7,082
$1,642
Highways & Roads
$1,215
$668
Public Welfare
$1,456
$1,218
Health
$229
$187
Hospitals
$4,048
$526
Parks & Recreation
$593
$634
Housing
$4,902
$2,229
Sewerage
$325
$68
Utilities
$4,222
$2,000
Interest on Debt
$3
$0
Other
$30,692
$5,296
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health
A
Bethlehem, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 88/100
Excellent fiscal health

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