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

Portland, OR vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Summary

Philadelphia spends 57.9% more per capita than Portland ($32,597/person difference). Portland, OR has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 63/100).

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
Philadelphia, PA
Pop. 1,593,208
D
45/100
Budget Balance17
Debt Burden53
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Portland
Philadelphia
Total Spending
$15.3B
$89.7B
Spending / Capita
$23,675
$56,272
Total Revenue
$31.0B
$64.4B
Revenue / Capita
$47,970
$40,425
Total Debt
$1.0B
$1.7B
Debt / Capita
$1,574
$1,069
Population
646,101
1,593,208
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Portland$0
Philadelphia$1,505
Fire Protection
Portland$1,700
Philadelphia$7,082
Highways & Roads
Portland$139
Philadelphia$1,215
Parks & Recreation
Portland$2,477
Philadelphia$593
Health
Portland$0
Philadelphia$229

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PortlandPhiladelphia
Sales Tax
$1,695
$107
Income Tax
$130
$8
Intergovernmental
$8,979
$6,288
Charges & Fees
$3,883
$2,790
Other
$7,916
$4,029

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

PortlandPhiladelphia
Police
$0
$1,505
Fire Protection
$1,700
$7,082
Highways & Roads
$139
$1,215
Public Welfare
$3,607
$1,456
Health
$0
$229
Hospitals
$2,893
$4,048
Parks & Recreation
$2,477
$593
Housing
$3,694
$4,902
Sewerage
$630
$325
Utilities
$1,845
$4,222
Interest on Debt
$0
$3
Other
$6,689
$30,692
C
Portland, OR
Fiscal Health Score: 63/100
Average fiscal health
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health

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