Phoenix, AZ vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Denver, CO outspends Phoenix, AZ by a wide margin per resident — $33,582 versus $15,793, a 113% difference. A gap this size usually reflects a structurally different service mix or accounting scope rather than a single line item.
Phoenix, AZ holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 67/100 (grade B) against 51/100 (grade C) for Denver, CO — a 16-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, Phoenix, AZ carries the lighter load at $1,156 per resident versus $5,126 for Denver, CO. 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 Denver, CO at $3,319.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 100% of total revenue in Phoenix, AZ and 37% in Denver, CO.
Summary
Denver spends 53.0% more per capita than Phoenix ($17,789/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 | $0 |
| Sales Tax | $338 | $2,070 |
| Income Tax | $1,260 | $236 |
| Intergovernmental | $50,709 | $44,661 |
| Charges & Fees | $2,998 | $5,207 |
| Other | $2,038 | $10,100 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Police | $0 | $2,455 |
| Fire Protection | $170 | $1,668 |
| Highways & Roads | $86 | $475 |
| Education | $214 | $821 |
| Public Welfare | $507 | $764 |
| Health | $258 | $693 |
| Hospitals | $1,521 | $2,855 |
| Parks & Recreation | $652 | $3,319 |
| Housing | $3,879 | $3,565 |
| Sewerage | $388 | $293 |
| Utilities | $2,480 | $4,292 |
| Interest on Debt | $1,760 | $7 |
| General Admin | $0 | $364 |
| Other | $3,878 | $12,011 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.