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

Tucson, AZ vs Chicago, IL

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

Summary

Chicago spends 54.4% more per capita than Tucson ($18,792/person difference). Chicago, IL has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 61/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Tucson, AZ
Pop. 541,033
C
55/100
Budget Balance71
Debt Burden10
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Chicago, IL
Pop. 2,721,914
C
61/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden61
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency22
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Tucson
Chicago
Total Spending
$8.5B
$94.0B
Spending / Capita
$15,759
$34,551
Total Revenue
$12.6B
$231.6B
Revenue / Capita
$23,276
$85,083
Total Debt
$833.1M
$2.7B
Debt / Capita
$1,540
$977
Population
541,033
2,721,914
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Tucson$330
Chicago$10,754
Highways & Roads
Tucson$0
Chicago$930
Parks & Recreation
Tucson$1,229
Chicago$122
Health
Tucson$0
Chicago$426

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

TucsonChicago
Property Tax
$5
$26
Sales Tax
$309
$74
Income Tax
$1,107
$229
Intergovernmental
$23,276
$85,083
Charges & Fees
$4,534
$2,847
Other
$952
$3,463

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

TucsonChicago
Fire Protection
$330
$10,754
Highways & Roads
$0
$930
Public Welfare
$1,181
$1,858
Health
$0
$426
Hospitals
$1,314
$1,444
Parks & Recreation
$1,229
$122
Housing
$3,091
$6,520
Sewerage
$0
$129
Utilities
$3,555
$2,983
Interest on Debt
$1,735
$0
Other
$3,322
$9,385
C
Tucson, AZ
Fiscal Health Score: 55/100
Average fiscal health
C
Chicago, IL
Fiscal Health Score: 61/100
Average fiscal health

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