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

Phoenix, AZ vs Columbus, OH

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

Summary

Columbus spends 16.3% more per capita than Phoenix ($3,065/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
Columbus, OH
Pop. 902,449
C
52/100
Budget Balance32
Debt Burden46
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency94
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Phoenix
Columbus
Total Spending
$25.4B
$17.0B
Spending / Capita
$15,793
$18,858
Total Revenue
$81.6B
$0
Revenue / Capita
$50,709
$0
Total Debt
$1.9B
$1.0B
Debt / Capita
$1,156
$1,145
Population
1,609,456
902,449
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Phoenix$170
Columbus$1,016
Highways & Roads
Phoenix$86
Columbus$224
Parks & Recreation
Phoenix$652
Columbus$2,168
Education
Phoenix$214
Columbus$0
Health
Phoenix$258
Columbus$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhoenixColumbus
Property Tax
$7
$10
Sales Tax
$338
$234
Income Tax
$1,260
$1
Intergovernmental
$50,709
$0
Charges & Fees
$2,998
$2,389
Other
$2,038
$5,248

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhoenixColumbus
Fire Protection
$170
$1,016
Highways & Roads
$86
$224
Education
$214
$0
Public Welfare
$507
$878
Health
$258
$0
Hospitals
$1,521
$953
Parks & Recreation
$652
$2,168
Housing
$3,879
$4,303
Sewerage
$388
$1
Utilities
$2,480
$1,719
Interest on Debt
$1,760
$0
Other
$3,878
$7,595
B
Phoenix, AZ
Fiscal Health Score: 67/100
Good fiscal health
C
Columbus, OH
Fiscal Health Score: 52/100
Average fiscal health

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