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

Washington, DC vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Summary

Washington spends 332.4% more per capita than Philadelphia ($187,069/person difference). Philadelphia, PA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (D, 45/100).

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
Philadelphia, PA
Pop. 1,593,208
D
45/100
Budget Balance17
Debt Burden53
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Washington
Philadelphia
Total Spending
$163.2B
$89.7B
Spending / Capita
$243,341
$56,272
Total Revenue
$186.2B
$64.4B
Revenue / Capita
$277,701
$40,425
Total Debt
$1.7B
$1.7B
Debt / Capita
$2,516
$1,069
Population
670,587
1,593,208
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Washington$4,183
Philadelphia$1,505
Fire Protection
Washington$4,262
Philadelphia$7,082
Highways & Roads
Washington$1,435
Philadelphia$1,215
Parks & Recreation
Washington$5,459
Philadelphia$593
Education
Washington$53,224
Philadelphia$0
Health
Washington$1,009
Philadelphia$229

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

WashingtonPhiladelphia
Property Tax
$25
$0
Sales Tax
$991
$107
Income Tax
$141
$8
Intergovernmental
$18,754
$6,288
Charges & Fees
$4,070
$2,790
Other
$11,518
$4,029

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

WashingtonPhiladelphia
Police
$4,183
$1,505
Fire Protection
$4,262
$7,082
Highways & Roads
$1,435
$1,215
Education
$53,224
$0
Public Welfare
$2,498
$1,456
Health
$1,009
$229
Hospitals
$17,668
$4,048
Parks & Recreation
$5,459
$593
Housing
$10,296
$4,902
Sewerage
$2,881
$325
Utilities
$88,990
$4,222
Interest on Debt
$58
$3
General Admin
$3,225
$0
Other
$48,155
$30,692
D
Washington, DC
Fiscal Health Score: 41/100
Below average fiscal health
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health

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