Tempe, AZ vs Gilbert, AZ
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Tempe, AZ outspends Gilbert, AZ by a wide margin per resident — $22,717 versus $11,239, a 102% difference. A gap this size usually reflects a structurally different service mix or accounting scope rather than a single line item.
Tempe, AZ holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 81/100 (grade A) against 60/100 (grade C) for Gilbert, AZ — a 21-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, Tempe, AZ carries the lighter load at $477 per resident versus $1,867 for Gilbert, AZ. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: parks and recreation leads in Tempe, AZ at $996 per resident and in Gilbert, AZ at $1,066.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 7% of total revenue in Tempe, AZ and 100% in Gilbert, AZ.
Summary
Tempe spends 102.1% more per capita than Gilbert ($11,478/person difference). Tempe, AZ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 81/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $3 | $2 |
| Sales Tax | $353 | $244 |
| Income Tax | $1,152 | $1,096 |
| Intergovernmental | $3,872 | $35,750 |
| Charges & Fees | $2,554 | $2,411 |
| Other | $3,054 | $1,553 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Police | $0 | $39 |
| Fire Protection | $425 | $133 |
| Highways & Roads | $603 | $191 |
| Public Welfare | $985 | $955 |
| Health | $189 | $142 |
| Hospitals | $865 | $29 |
| Parks & Recreation | $996 | $1,066 |
| Housing | $6,386 | $2,707 |
| Sewerage | $577 | $208 |
| Utilities | $2,702 | $2,287 |
| Interest on Debt | $2,731 | $25 |
| Other | $6,258 | $3,455 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.