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

Phoenix, AZ vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Summary

Philadelphia spends 71.9% more per capita than Phoenix ($40,479/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
Philadelphia, PA
Pop. 1,593,208
D
45/100
Budget Balance17
Debt Burden53
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Phoenix
Philadelphia
Total Spending
$25.4B
$89.7B
Spending / Capita
$15,793
$56,272
Total Revenue
$81.6B
$64.4B
Revenue / Capita
$50,709
$40,425
Total Debt
$1.9B
$1.7B
Debt / Capita
$1,156
$1,069
Population
1,609,456
1,593,208
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Phoenix$0
Philadelphia$1,505
Fire Protection
Phoenix$170
Philadelphia$7,082
Highways & Roads
Phoenix$86
Philadelphia$1,215
Parks & Recreation
Phoenix$652
Philadelphia$593
Education
Phoenix$214
Philadelphia$0
Health
Phoenix$258
Philadelphia$229

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhoenixPhiladelphia
Property Tax
$7
$0
Sales Tax
$338
$107
Income Tax
$1,260
$8
Intergovernmental
$50,709
$6,288
Charges & Fees
$2,998
$2,790
Other
$2,038
$4,029

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhoenixPhiladelphia
Police
$0
$1,505
Fire Protection
$170
$7,082
Highways & Roads
$86
$1,215
Education
$214
$0
Public Welfare
$507
$1,456
Health
$258
$229
Hospitals
$1,521
$4,048
Parks & Recreation
$652
$593
Housing
$3,879
$4,902
Sewerage
$388
$325
Utilities
$2,480
$4,222
Interest on Debt
$1,760
$3
Other
$3,878
$30,692
B
Phoenix, AZ
Fiscal Health Score: 67/100
Good fiscal health
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health

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