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

Philadelphia, PA vs Washington, DC

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

Summary

Washington spends 76.9% more per capita than Philadelphia ($187,069/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
Washington, DC
Pop. 670,587
D
41/100
Budget Balance45
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Philadelphia
Washington
Total Spending
$89.7B
$163.2B
Spending / Capita
$56,272
$243,341
Total Revenue
$64.4B
$186.2B
Revenue / Capita
$40,425
$277,701
Total Debt
$1.7B
$1.7B
Debt / Capita
$1,069
$2,516
Population
1,593,208
670,587
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Philadelphia$1,505
Washington$4,183
Fire Protection
Philadelphia$7,082
Washington$4,262
Highways & Roads
Philadelphia$1,215
Washington$1,435
Parks & Recreation
Philadelphia$593
Washington$5,459
Education
Philadelphia$0
Washington$53,224
Health
Philadelphia$229
Washington$1,009

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaWashington
Property Tax
$0
$25
Sales Tax
$107
$991
Income Tax
$8
$141
Intergovernmental
$6,288
$18,754
Charges & Fees
$2,790
$4,070
Other
$4,029
$11,518

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaWashington
Police
$1,505
$4,183
Fire Protection
$7,082
$4,262
Highways & Roads
$1,215
$1,435
Education
$0
$53,224
Public Welfare
$1,456
$2,498
Health
$229
$1,009
Hospitals
$4,048
$17,668
Parks & Recreation
$593
$5,459
Housing
$4,902
$10,296
Sewerage
$325
$2,881
Utilities
$4,222
$88,990
Interest on Debt
$3
$58
General Admin
$0
$3,225
Other
$30,692
$48,155
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health
D
Washington, DC
Fiscal Health Score: 41/100
Below average fiscal health

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