Phoenix, AZ vs Albuquerque, NM

Albuquerque, NM and Phoenix, AZ spend within 9.1% of each other per resident — $17,237 versus $15,793 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.

Albuquerque, NM holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 81/100 (grade A) against 67/100 (grade B) for Phoenix, AZ — a 14-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.

On debt, Albuquerque, NM carries the lighter load at $613 per resident versus $1,156 for Phoenix, AZ. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: parks and recreation leads in Phoenix, AZ at $652 per resident and in Albuquerque, NM at $1,990.

They also fund themselves differently: intergovernmental transfers is the largest single revenue source in Phoenix, AZ at 100% of total revenue, whereas Albuquerque, NM relies most on charges and fees at 11%.