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

Seattle, WA vs Phoenix, AZ

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

Summary

Seattle spends 118.2% more per capita than Phoenix ($18,670/person difference). Phoenix, AZ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 67/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Seattle, WA
Pop. 734,603
C
61/100
Budget Balance69
Debt Burden50
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency22
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
Seattle
Phoenix
Total Spending
$25.3B
$25.4B
Spending / Capita
$34,463
$15,793
Total Revenue
$56.5B
$81.6B
Revenue / Capita
$76,958
$50,709
Total Debt
$808.1M
$1.9B
Debt / Capita
$1,100
$1,156
Population
734,603
1,609,456
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Seattle$210
Phoenix$170
Highways & Roads
Seattle$0
Phoenix$86
Parks & Recreation
Seattle$3,923
Phoenix$652
Education
Seattle$1,461
Phoenix$214
Health
Seattle$1,131
Phoenix$258

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

SeattlePhoenix
Property Tax
$1,831
$7
Sales Tax
$1,094
$338
Income Tax
$3,496
$1,260
Intergovernmental
$9,846
$50,709
Charges & Fees
$3,960
$2,998
Other
$8,544
$2,038

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

SeattlePhoenix
Fire Protection
$210
$170
Highways & Roads
$0
$86
Education
$1,461
$214
Public Welfare
$3,439
$507
Health
$1,131
$258
Hospitals
$1,871
$1,521
Parks & Recreation
$3,923
$652
Housing
$3,727
$3,879
Sewerage
$952
$388
Utilities
$6,489
$2,480
Interest on Debt
$0
$1,760
Other
$11,260
$3,878
C
Seattle, WA
Fiscal Health Score: 61/100
Average fiscal health
B
Phoenix, AZ
Fiscal Health Score: 67/100
Good fiscal health

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