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

Scranton, PA vs Bethlehem, PA

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

Summary

Bethlehem spends 27.8% more per capita than Scranton ($4,022/person difference). Bethlehem, PA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 88/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Scranton, PA
Pop. 76,119
A
83/100
Budget Balance73
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Bethlehem, PA
Pop. 76,555
A
88/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency86
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Scranton
Bethlehem
Total Spending
$795.1M
$1.1B
Spending / Capita
$10,446
$14,468
Total Revenue
$779.9M
$1.9B
Revenue / Capita
$10,245
$25,113
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
76,119
76,555
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Scranton$1,029
Bethlehem$1,642
Highways & Roads
Scranton$156
Bethlehem$668
Parks & Recreation
Scranton$130
Bethlehem$634
Health
Scranton$411
Bethlehem$187

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ScrantonBethlehem
Property Tax
$28
$1
Sales Tax
$3
$405
Income Tax
$1,114
$308
Intergovernmental
$114
$3,237
Charges & Fees
$0
$3,296
Other
$47
$3,969

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ScrantonBethlehem
Fire Protection
$1,029
$1,642
Highways & Roads
$156
$668
Public Welfare
$115
$1,218
Health
$411
$187
Hospitals
$0
$526
Parks & Recreation
$130
$634
Housing
$3,373
$2,229
Sewerage
$0
$68
Utilities
$668
$2,000
Other
$4,564
$5,296
A
Scranton, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 83/100
Excellent fiscal health
A
Bethlehem, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 88/100
Excellent fiscal health

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