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

Philadelphia, PA vs Mesa, AZ

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

Summary

Philadelphia spends 340.7% more per capita than Mesa ($43,504/person difference). Mesa, AZ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 90/100).

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
Mesa, AZ
Pop. 503,390
A
90/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Philadelphia
Mesa
Total Spending
$89.7B
$6.4B
Spending / Capita
$56,272
$12,768
Total Revenue
$64.4B
$18.0B
Revenue / Capita
$40,425
$35,688
Total Debt
$1.7B
$236.3M
Debt / Capita
$1,069
$469
Population
1,593,208
503,390
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Philadelphia$1,505
Mesa$0
Fire Protection
Philadelphia$7,082
Mesa$422
Highways & Roads
Philadelphia$1,215
Mesa$192
Parks & Recreation
Philadelphia$593
Mesa$953
Health
Philadelphia$229
Mesa$147

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaMesa
Property Tax
$0
$47
Sales Tax
$107
$463
Income Tax
$8
$1,376
Intergovernmental
$6,288
$1,383
Charges & Fees
$2,790
$3,334
Other
$4,029
$2,253

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaMesa
Police
$1,505
$0
Fire Protection
$7,082
$422
Highways & Roads
$1,215
$192
Public Welfare
$1,456
$829
Health
$229
$147
Hospitals
$4,048
$537
Parks & Recreation
$593
$953
Housing
$4,902
$4,190
Sewerage
$325
$38
Utilities
$4,222
$2,376
Interest on Debt
$3
$0
Other
$30,692
$3,082
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health
A
Mesa, AZ
Fiscal Health Score: 90/100
Excellent fiscal health

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