Government budget and revenue in Phoenix, Arizona: official figures
Phoenix's city government took in $6.0 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $3,631 for each of its 1,644,409 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 185th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Phoenix spend and on what?
It spent $4.4 billion in the same year, $2,671 per resident, the 287th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (16.2%), public transit (12.8%) and fire protection (10.1%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Phoenix collect per resident?
Taxes raised $1.8 billion ($1,113 per resident, the 270th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 34.0% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Phoenix rely on?
Of Phoenix's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 17.1%, general sales tax 62.8%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 11.1%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Phoenix's property tax share is the 49th lowest of 580 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much federal and state money does Phoenix get?
Payments from other governments made up 31.5% of Phoenix's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 9.4% from the federal government ($307 per resident), 20.9% from the state and 1.2% from other local governments. For all US city governments in 2022 the aid share was 24.3%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Phoenix raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $1.3 billion, 23.4% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $585.75 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Phoenix spend on police?
Phoenix's city government spent $709.52 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $431 per resident (the 196th highest of 582) and 16.2% of its total spending; police took 10.3% of spending across all US city governments in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Phoenix spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $443.00 million, $269 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Phoenix have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Phoenix's city government owed $7.1 billion in long-term debt, $4,323 per resident (the 112th highest of 582). During the year it issued no new long-term debt and repaid $526.44 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Phoenix pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $335.04 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 7.6% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Phoenix city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 30.8% from $2,776 to $3,631, spending per resident rose 11.7% to $2,671, taxes per resident rose 14.6% to $1,113.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Phoenix compares with other cities in the United States
City government total revenue per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Phoenix ranks 265 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total revenue per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 262 | Fort Myers | $2,782 |
| 263 | Spokane | $2,780 |
| 264 | Oak Lawn | $2,778 |
| 265 | Phoenix | $2,776 |
| 266 | Carlsbad | $2,775 |
| 267 | West Haven | $2,770 |
| 268 | Columbus | $2,765 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Phoenix ranks 325 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total spending per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 322 | Novi | $2,401 |
| 323 | Tuscaloosa | $2,398 |
| 324 | Royal Oak | $2,391 |
| 325 | Phoenix | $2,390 |
| 326 | Las Cruces | $2,386 |
| 327 | Richmond | $2,384 |
| 328 | Jeffersonville | $2,382 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Phoenix ranks 353 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City taxes collected per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 350 | Turlock | $977 |
| 351 | La Mesa | $976 |
| 352 | Charlotte | $975 |
| 353 | Phoenix | $972 |
| 354 | Edina | $972 |
| 355 | St. Peters | $970 |
| 356 | Newark | $969 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Phoenix ranks 352 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City spending on police per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 349 | Temecula | $323 |
| 350 | West New York | $322 |
| 351 | Rochester | $322 |
| 352 | Phoenix | $321 |
| 353 | Merced | $320 |
| 354 | Council Bluffs | $320 |
| 355 | Mobile | $319 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Phoenix ranks 97 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 94 | Fishers | $4,898 |
| 95 | Charlotte | $4,835 |
| 96 | Ontario | $4,790 |
| 97 | Phoenix | $4,778 |
| 98 | Corona | $4,774 |
| 99 | Portland | $4,719 |
| 100 | Kissimmee | $4,716 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Phoenix ranks 670 of 730, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 667 | Bentonville | 17.8% |
| 668 | Lakewood | 17.5% |
| 669 | Broken Arrow | 17.5% |
| 670 | Phoenix | 17.4% |
| 671 | Huntsville | 17.4% |
| 672 | Scottsdale | 17.1% |
| 673 | Lake Elsinore | 17.0% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Phoenix ranks 114 of 730, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 111 | Philadelphia | 33.7% |
| 112 | Terre Haute | 33.7% |
| 113 | Framingham | 33.6% |
| 114 | Phoenix | 33.6% |
| 115 | Suffolk | 33.5% |
| 116 | Gilbert | 33.4% |
| 117 | Reno | 33.4% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Phoenix ranks 185 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total revenue per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 182 | Ann Arbor | $3,648 |
| 183 | St. Paul | $3,645 |
| 184 | Tampa | $3,638 |
| 185 | Phoenix | $3,631 |
| 186 | Flagstaff | $3,630 |
| 187 | Terre Haute | $3,627 |
| 188 | Sunnyvale | $3,622 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Phoenix ranks 296 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total spending per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 293 | Perth Amboy | $2,685 |
| 294 | Renton | $2,684 |
| 295 | Oxnard | $2,679 |
| 296 | Phoenix | $2,671 |
| 297 | Bossier City | $2,670 |
| 298 | Holly Springs | $2,650 |
| 299 | Homestead | $2,642 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Phoenix ranks 270 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City taxes collected per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 267 | Kent | $1,116 |
| 268 | Clifton | $1,115 |
| 269 | Richland | $1,114 |
| 270 | Phoenix | $1,113 |
| 271 | Rockville | $1,113 |
| 272 | Arlington | $1,112 |
| 273 | Holly Springs | $1,111 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Phoenix ranks 196 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City spending on police per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 193 | Charlotte | $433 |
| 194 | Fairfield | $432 |
| 195 | Hillsboro | $432 |
| 196 | Phoenix | $431 |
| 197 | Nashua | $431 |
| 198 | Roseville | $429 |
| 199 | Renton | $423 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Phoenix ranks 112 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 109 | Philadelphia | $4,388 |
| 110 | Cedar Rapids | $4,368 |
| 111 | Detroit | $4,363 |
| 112 | Phoenix | $4,323 |
| 113 | Midland | $4,314 |
| 114 | Anchorage | $4,301 |
| 115 | Commerce City | $4,279 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Phoenix ranks 532 of 580, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 529 | Lakewood | 17.4% |
| 530 | Gilbert | 17.4% |
| 531 | Bentonville | 17.2% |
| 532 | Phoenix | 17.1% |
| 533 | Kansas City | 16.9% |
| 534 | Scottsdale | 16.6% |
| 535 | Bossier City | 16.3% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Phoenix ranks 129 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 126 | Oak Park | 32.0% |
| 127 | Elkhart | 32.0% |
| 128 | Erie | 31.6% |
| 129 | Phoenix | 31.5% |
| 130 | Arlington Heights | 31.4% |
| 131 | Peoria | 31.4% |
| 132 | Suffolk | 31.3% |
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Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit files (item amounts for every sampled government, directory with population and fiscal year end, state estimates by type of government), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0967c4d30466…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2022 Census of Governments: State and Local Government Finances, individual unit files (item amounts for every government, directory with population and fiscal year end, state estimates by type of government), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c8de889f6b33…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.