Phoenix, AZ vs Chicago, IL
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Chicago, IL outspends Phoenix, AZ by a wide margin per resident — $34,551 versus $15,793, a 119% difference. A gap this size usually reflects a structurally different service mix or accounting scope rather than a single line item.
Phoenix, AZ edges Chicago, IL on the Fiscal Health Score by 6 points — 67/100 (grade B) to 61/100 (grade C). At a margin this narrow the grade is close enough that the factor-level detail matters more than the composite.
On debt, Chicago, IL carries the lighter load at $977 per resident versus $1,156 for Phoenix, AZ. Their budgets diverge on where the largest per-resident dollars go: Phoenix, AZ leads with parks and recreation at $652 per resident, while Chicago, IL leads with fire protection at $10,754.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 100% of total revenue in Phoenix, AZ and 100% in Chicago, IL.
Summary
Chicago spends 54.3% more per capita than Phoenix ($18,758/person difference). Phoenix, AZ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 67/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $7 | $26 |
| Sales Tax | $338 | $74 |
| Income Tax | $1,260 | $229 |
| Intergovernmental | $50,709 | $85,083 |
| Charges & Fees | $2,998 | $2,847 |
| Other | $2,038 | $3,463 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $170 | $10,754 |
| Highways & Roads | $86 | $930 |
| Education | $214 | $0 |
| Public Welfare | $507 | $1,858 |
| Health | $258 | $426 |
| Hospitals | $1,521 | $1,444 |
| Parks & Recreation | $652 | $122 |
| Housing | $3,879 | $6,520 |
| Sewerage | $388 | $129 |
| Utilities | $2,480 | $2,983 |
| Interest on Debt | $1,760 | $0 |
| Other | $3,878 | $9,385 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.