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

Phoenix, AZ vs Denver, CO

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

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

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
Denver, CO
Pop. 710,800
C
51/100
Budget Balance68
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency26
Revenue Diversity99
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Phoenix
Denver
Total Spending
$25.4B
$23.9B
Spending / Capita
$15,793
$33,582
Total Revenue
$81.6B
$86.8B
Revenue / Capita
$50,709
$122,063
Total Debt
$1.9B
$3.6B
Debt / Capita
$1,156
$5,126
Population
1,609,456
710,800
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Phoenix$0
Denver$2,455
Fire Protection
Phoenix$170
Denver$1,668
Highways & Roads
Phoenix$86
Denver$475
Parks & Recreation
Phoenix$652
Denver$3,319
Education
Phoenix$214
Denver$821
Health
Phoenix$258
Denver$693

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhoenixDenver
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)

PhoenixDenver
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
B
Phoenix, AZ
Fiscal Health Score: 67/100
Good fiscal health
C
Denver, CO
Fiscal Health Score: 51/100
Average fiscal health

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