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

Philadelphia, PA vs Phoenix, AZ

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

Summary

Philadelphia spends 256.3% more per capita than Phoenix ($40,479/person difference). Phoenix, AZ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 67/100).

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
Phoenix, AZ
Pop. 1,609,456
B
67/100
Budget Balance93
Debt Burden45
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Philadelphia
Phoenix
Total Spending
$89.7B
$25.4B
Spending / Capita
$56,272
$15,793
Total Revenue
$64.4B
$81.6B
Revenue / Capita
$40,425
$50,709
Total Debt
$1.7B
$1.9B
Debt / Capita
$1,069
$1,156
Population
1,593,208
1,609,456
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Philadelphia$1,505
Phoenix$0
Fire Protection
Philadelphia$7,082
Phoenix$170
Highways & Roads
Philadelphia$1,215
Phoenix$86
Parks & Recreation
Philadelphia$593
Phoenix$652
Education
Philadelphia$0
Phoenix$214
Health
Philadelphia$229
Phoenix$258

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaPhoenix
Property Tax
$0
$7
Sales Tax
$107
$338
Income Tax
$8
$1,260
Intergovernmental
$6,288
$50,709
Charges & Fees
$2,790
$2,998
Other
$4,029
$2,038

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaPhoenix
Police
$1,505
$0
Fire Protection
$7,082
$170
Highways & Roads
$1,215
$86
Education
$0
$214
Public Welfare
$1,456
$507
Health
$229
$258
Hospitals
$4,048
$1,521
Parks & Recreation
$593
$652
Housing
$4,902
$3,879
Sewerage
$325
$388
Utilities
$4,222
$2,480
Interest on Debt
$3
$1,760
Other
$30,692
$3,878
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health
B
Phoenix, AZ
Fiscal Health Score: 67/100
Good fiscal health

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