Tucson, AZ vs Oklahoma City, OK
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Oklahoma City, OK and Tucson, AZ spend within 14.7% of each other per resident — $18,074 versus $15,759 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Oklahoma City, OK holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 65/100 (grade B) against 55/100 (grade C) for Tucson, AZ — a 10-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, Tucson, AZ carries the lighter load at $1,540 per resident versus $3,520 for Oklahoma City, OK. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: parks and recreation leads in Tucson, AZ at $1,229 per resident and in Oklahoma City, OK at $2,014.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 100% of total revenue in Tucson, AZ and 19% in Oklahoma City, OK.
Summary
Oklahoma City spends 12.8% more per capita than Tucson ($2,315/person difference). Oklahoma City, OK has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 65/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $5 | $0 |
| Sales Tax | $309 | $763 |
| Income Tax | $1,107 | $1,037 |
| Intergovernmental | $23,276 | $6,852 |
| Charges & Fees | $4,534 | $3,256 |
| Other | $952 | $1,836 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $330 | $513 |
| Public Welfare | $1,181 | $1,525 |
| Health | $0 | $5 |
| Hospitals | $1,314 | $2,044 |
| Parks & Recreation | $1,229 | $2,014 |
| Housing | $3,091 | $2,857 |
| Utilities | $3,555 | $4,523 |
| Interest on Debt | $1,735 | $707 |
| Other | $3,322 | $3,886 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.