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

Philadelphia, PA vs Lancaster, PA

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

Summary

Philadelphia spends 9.6% more per capita than Lancaster ($4,921/person difference). Lancaster, PA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 51/100).

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
Lancaster, PA
Pop. 57,970
C
51/100
Budget Balance45
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Philadelphia
Lancaster
Total Spending
$89.7B
$3.0B
Spending / Capita
$56,272
$51,351
Total Revenue
$64.4B
$1.4B
Revenue / Capita
$40,425
$24,786
Total Debt
$1.7B
$0
Debt / Capita
$1,069
$0
Population
1,593,208
57,970
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Philadelphia$1,505
Lancaster$5,263
Fire Protection
Philadelphia$7,082
Lancaster$4,067
Highways & Roads
Philadelphia$1,215
Lancaster$500
Parks & Recreation
Philadelphia$593
Lancaster$278
Health
Philadelphia$229
Lancaster$417

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaLancaster
Sales Tax
$107
$72
Income Tax
$8
$0
Intergovernmental
$6,288
$24,786
Charges & Fees
$2,790
$0
Other
$4,029
$4,613

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaLancaster
Police
$1,505
$5,263
Fire Protection
$7,082
$4,067
Highways & Roads
$1,215
$500
Public Welfare
$1,456
$24
Health
$229
$417
Hospitals
$4,048
$6,387
Parks & Recreation
$593
$278
Housing
$4,902
$2,619
Sewerage
$325
$0
Utilities
$4,222
$7,457
Interest on Debt
$3
$76
Other
$30,692
$24,262
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health
C
Lancaster, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 51/100
Average fiscal health

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