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

Washington, DC vs Mesa, AZ

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

Summary

Washington spends 1805.9% more per capita than Mesa ($230,573/person difference). Mesa, AZ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 90/100).

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
Mesa, AZ
Pop. 503,390
A
90/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Washington
Mesa
Total Spending
$163.2B
$6.4B
Spending / Capita
$243,341
$12,768
Total Revenue
$186.2B
$18.0B
Revenue / Capita
$277,701
$35,688
Total Debt
$1.7B
$236.3M
Debt / Capita
$2,516
$469
Population
670,587
503,390
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Washington$4,183
Mesa$0
Fire Protection
Washington$4,262
Mesa$422
Highways & Roads
Washington$1,435
Mesa$192
Parks & Recreation
Washington$5,459
Mesa$953
Education
Washington$53,224
Mesa$0
Health
Washington$1,009
Mesa$147

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

WashingtonMesa
Property Tax
$25
$47
Sales Tax
$991
$463
Income Tax
$141
$1,376
Intergovernmental
$18,754
$1,383
Charges & Fees
$4,070
$3,334
Other
$11,518
$2,253

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

WashingtonMesa
Police
$4,183
$0
Fire Protection
$4,262
$422
Highways & Roads
$1,435
$192
Education
$53,224
$0
Public Welfare
$2,498
$829
Health
$1,009
$147
Hospitals
$17,668
$537
Parks & Recreation
$5,459
$953
Housing
$10,296
$4,190
Sewerage
$2,881
$38
Utilities
$88,990
$2,376
Interest on Debt
$58
$0
General Admin
$3,225
$0
Other
$48,155
$3,082
D
Washington, DC
Fiscal Health Score: 41/100
Below average fiscal health
A
Mesa, AZ
Fiscal Health Score: 90/100
Excellent fiscal health

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