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

Portland, OR vs Mesa, AZ

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

Summary

Portland spends 85.4% more per capita than Mesa ($10,907/person difference). Mesa, AZ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 90/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Portland, OR
Pop. 646,101
C
63/100
Budget Balance83
Debt Burden7
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency72
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Mesa, AZ
Pop. 503,390
A
90/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Portland
Mesa
Total Spending
$15.3B
$6.4B
Spending / Capita
$23,675
$12,768
Total Revenue
$31.0B
$18.0B
Revenue / Capita
$47,970
$35,688
Total Debt
$1.0B
$236.3M
Debt / Capita
$1,574
$469
Population
646,101
503,390
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Portland$1,700
Mesa$422
Highways & Roads
Portland$139
Mesa$192
Parks & Recreation
Portland$2,477
Mesa$953
Health
Portland$0
Mesa$147

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PortlandMesa
Property Tax
$0
$47
Sales Tax
$1,695
$463
Income Tax
$130
$1,376
Intergovernmental
$8,979
$1,383
Charges & Fees
$3,883
$3,334
Other
$7,916
$2,253

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

PortlandMesa
Fire Protection
$1,700
$422
Highways & Roads
$139
$192
Public Welfare
$3,607
$829
Health
$0
$147
Hospitals
$2,893
$537
Parks & Recreation
$2,477
$953
Housing
$3,694
$4,190
Sewerage
$630
$38
Utilities
$1,845
$2,376
Other
$6,689
$3,082
C
Portland, OR
Fiscal Health Score: 63/100
Average fiscal health
A
Mesa, AZ
Fiscal Health Score: 90/100
Excellent fiscal health

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