Akron, OH vs Hamilton, OH
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Hamilton, OH outspends Akron, OH by a wide margin per resident — $116,276 versus $19,638, a 492% difference. A gap this size usually reflects a structurally different service mix or accounting scope rather than a single line item.
Akron, OH holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 73/100 (grade B) against 65/100 (grade B) for Hamilton, OH — a 8-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
Neither city reports outstanding debt per resident in its current Census filing, which removes debt service as a point of difference between them. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: fire protection leads in Akron, OH at $922 per resident and in Hamilton, OH at $2,102.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 100% of total revenue in Akron, OH and 100% in Hamilton, OH.
Summary
Hamilton spends 83.1% more per capita than Akron ($96,638/person difference). Akron, OH has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 73/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $0 | $604 |
| Sales Tax | $148 | $3,499 |
| Intergovernmental | $23,016 | $204,195 |
| Charges & Fees | $1,806 | $0 |
| Other | $6,798 | $71,987 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $922 | $2,102 |
| Highways & Roads | $0 | $86 |
| Public Welfare | $0 | $3,373 |
| Hospitals | $4,350 | $0 |
| Parks & Recreation | $689 | $1,125 |
| Housing | $3,898 | $15,570 |
| Sewerage | $8 | $0 |
| Utilities | $3,689 | $50,129 |
| Other | $6,081 | $43,891 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.