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

Portland, OR vs Phoenix, AZ

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

Summary

Portland spends 49.9% more per capita than Phoenix ($7,882/person difference). Phoenix, AZ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 67/100).

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
Phoenix, AZ
Pop. 1,609,456
B
67/100
Budget Balance93
Debt Burden45
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Portland
Phoenix
Total Spending
$15.3B
$25.4B
Spending / Capita
$23,675
$15,793
Total Revenue
$31.0B
$81.6B
Revenue / Capita
$47,970
$50,709
Total Debt
$1.0B
$1.9B
Debt / Capita
$1,574
$1,156
Population
646,101
1,609,456
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Portland$1,700
Phoenix$170
Highways & Roads
Portland$139
Phoenix$86
Parks & Recreation
Portland$2,477
Phoenix$652
Education
Portland$0
Phoenix$214
Health
Portland$0
Phoenix$258

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PortlandPhoenix
Property Tax
$0
$7
Sales Tax
$1,695
$338
Income Tax
$130
$1,260
Intergovernmental
$8,979
$50,709
Charges & Fees
$3,883
$2,998
Other
$7,916
$2,038

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

PortlandPhoenix
Fire Protection
$1,700
$170
Highways & Roads
$139
$86
Education
$0
$214
Public Welfare
$3,607
$507
Health
$0
$258
Hospitals
$2,893
$1,521
Parks & Recreation
$2,477
$652
Housing
$3,694
$3,879
Sewerage
$630
$388
Utilities
$1,845
$2,480
Interest on Debt
$0
$1,760
Other
$6,689
$3,878
C
Portland, OR
Fiscal Health Score: 63/100
Average fiscal health
B
Phoenix, AZ
Fiscal Health Score: 67/100
Good fiscal health

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