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

Philadelphia, PA vs Erie, PA

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

Summary

Philadelphia spends 29.7% more per capita than Erie ($12,878/person difference). Philadelphia, PA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (D, 45/100).

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
Erie, PA
Pop. 94,826
D
42/100
Budget Balance7
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Philadelphia
Erie
Total Spending
$89.7B
$4.1B
Spending / Capita
$56,272
$43,394
Total Revenue
$64.4B
$307.4M
Revenue / Capita
$40,425
$3,241
Total Debt
$1.7B
$0
Debt / Capita
$1,069
$0
Population
1,593,208
94,826
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Philadelphia$1,505
Erie$3,410
Fire Protection
Philadelphia$7,082
Erie$534
Highways & Roads
Philadelphia$1,215
Erie$1,399
Parks & Recreation
Philadelphia$593
Erie$0
Health
Philadelphia$229
Erie$788

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaErie
Sales Tax
$107
$0
Income Tax
$8
$0
Intergovernmental
$6,288
$3,241
Charges & Fees
$2,790
$0
Other
$4,029
$6,483

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaErie
Police
$1,505
$3,410
Fire Protection
$7,082
$534
Highways & Roads
$1,215
$1,399
Public Welfare
$1,456
$61
Health
$229
$788
Hospitals
$4,048
$403
Parks & Recreation
$593
$0
Housing
$4,902
$0
Sewerage
$325
$76
Utilities
$4,222
$21,061
Interest on Debt
$3
$0
Other
$30,692
$15,662
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health
D
Erie, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 42/100
Below average fiscal health

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