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

Philadelphia, PA vs Los Angeles, CA

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

Summary

Los Angeles spends 34.1% more per capita than Philadelphia ($29,160/person difference). Los Angeles, CA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (D, 47/100).

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
Los Angeles, CA
Pop. 3,881,041
D
47/100
Budget Balance0
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity65
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Philadelphia
Los Angeles
Total Spending
$89.7B
$331.6B
Spending / Capita
$56,272
$85,432
Total Revenue
$64.4B
$68.3B
Revenue / Capita
$40,425
$17,595
Total Debt
$1.7B
$0
Debt / Capita
$1,069
$0
Population
1,593,208
3,881,041
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Philadelphia$1,505
Los Angeles$4,111
Fire Protection
Philadelphia$7,082
Los Angeles$1,057
Highways & Roads
Philadelphia$1,215
Los Angeles$503
Parks & Recreation
Philadelphia$593
Los Angeles$1,347
Education
Philadelphia$0
Los Angeles$829
Health
Philadelphia$229
Los Angeles$409

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaLos Angeles
Property Tax
$0
$64
Sales Tax
$107
$77
Income Tax
$8
$307
Intergovernmental
$6,288
$134
Charges & Fees
$2,790
$459
Other
$4,029
$9,048

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaLos Angeles
Police
$1,505
$4,111
Fire Protection
$7,082
$1,057
Highways & Roads
$1,215
$503
Education
$0
$829
Public Welfare
$1,456
$1,286
Health
$229
$409
Hospitals
$4,048
$2,135
Parks & Recreation
$593
$1,347
Housing
$4,902
$6,325
Sewerage
$325
$34
Utilities
$4,222
$21,992
Interest on Debt
$3
$630
General Admin
$0
$11,586
Other
$30,692
$33,189
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health
D
Los Angeles, CA
Fiscal Health Score: 47/100
Below average fiscal health

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