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

Phoenix, AZ vs Chicago, IL

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

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

City A
Phoenix, AZ
Pop. 1,609,456
B
67/100
Budget Balance93
Debt Burden45
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Chicago, IL
Pop. 2,721,914
C
61/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden61
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency22
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Phoenix
Chicago
Total Spending
$25.4B
$94.0B
Spending / Capita
$15,793
$34,551
Total Revenue
$81.6B
$231.6B
Revenue / Capita
$50,709
$85,083
Total Debt
$1.9B
$2.7B
Debt / Capita
$1,156
$977
Population
1,609,456
2,721,914
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Phoenix$170
Chicago$10,754
Highways & Roads
Phoenix$86
Chicago$930
Parks & Recreation
Phoenix$652
Chicago$122
Education
Phoenix$214
Chicago$0
Health
Phoenix$258
Chicago$426

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhoenixChicago
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)

PhoenixChicago
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
B
Phoenix, AZ
Fiscal Health Score: 67/100
Good fiscal health
C
Chicago, IL
Fiscal Health Score: 61/100
Average fiscal health

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