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

Washington, DC vs Arlington, TX

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

Summary

Washington spends 1967.6% more per capita than Arlington ($231,572/person difference). Arlington, TX has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 83/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Washington, DC
Pop. 670,587
D
41/100
Budget Balance45
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Arlington, TX
Pop. 393,469
A
83/100
Budget Balance78
Debt Burden96
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity89
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Washington
Arlington
Total Spending
$163.2B
$4.6B
Spending / Capita
$243,341
$11,769
Total Revenue
$186.2B
$23.8B
Revenue / Capita
$277,701
$60,454
Total Debt
$1.7B
$233.8M
Debt / Capita
$2,516
$594
Population
670,587
393,469
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Washington$4,183
Arlington$0
Fire Protection
Washington$4,262
Arlington$160
Highways & Roads
Washington$1,435
Arlington$149
Parks & Recreation
Washington$5,459
Arlington$1,352
Education
Washington$53,224
Arlington$0
Health
Washington$1,009
Arlington$219

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

WashingtonArlington
Property Tax
$25
$0
Sales Tax
$991
$507
Income Tax
$141
$73
Intergovernmental
$18,754
$25,062
Charges & Fees
$4,070
$2,949
Other
$11,518
$3,897

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

WashingtonArlington
Police
$4,183
$0
Fire Protection
$4,262
$160
Highways & Roads
$1,435
$149
Education
$53,224
$0
Public Welfare
$2,498
$826
Health
$1,009
$219
Hospitals
$17,668
$152
Parks & Recreation
$5,459
$1,352
Housing
$10,296
$2,981
Sewerage
$2,881
$141
Utilities
$88,990
$1,385
Interest on Debt
$58
$0
General Admin
$3,225
$0
Other
$48,155
$4,404
D
Washington, DC
Fiscal Health Score: 41/100
Below average fiscal health
A
Arlington, TX
Fiscal Health Score: 83/100
Excellent fiscal health

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