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

Albuquerque, NM vs Oklahoma City, OK

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

Reviewed by CitySpend Editorial Team · Updated

Oklahoma City, OK and Albuquerque, NM spend within 4.9% of each other per resident — $18,074 versus $17,237 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.

Albuquerque, NM holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 81/100 (grade A) against 65/100 (grade B) for Oklahoma City, OK — a 16-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.

On debt, Albuquerque, NM carries the lighter load at $613 per resident versus $3,520 for Oklahoma City, OK. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: parks and recreation leads in Albuquerque, NM at $1,990 per resident and in Oklahoma City, OK at $2,014.

They also fund themselves differently: charges and fees is the largest single revenue source in Albuquerque, NM at 11% of total revenue, whereas Oklahoma City, OK relies most on intergovernmental transfers at 19%.

Summary

Oklahoma City spends 4.6% more per capita than Albuquerque ($836/person difference). Albuquerque, NM has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 81/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Albuquerque, NM
Pop. 562,551
A
81/100
Budget Balance68
Debt Burden94
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Oklahoma City, OK
Pop. 681,088
B
65/100
Budget Balance80
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency97
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Albuquerque
Oklahoma City
Total Spending
$9.7B
$12.3B
Spending / Capita
$17,237
$18,074
Total Revenue
$13.3B
$23.9B
Revenue / Capita
$23,652
$35,156
Total Debt
$344.9M
$2.4B
Debt / Capita
$613
$3,520
Population
562,551
681,088
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Albuquerque$440
Oklahoma City$513
Highways & Roads
Albuquerque$172
Oklahoma City$0
Parks & Recreation
Albuquerque$1,990
Oklahoma City$2,014
Health
Albuquerque$291
Oklahoma City$5

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

AlbuquerqueOklahoma City
Property Tax
$36
$0
Sales Tax
$355
$763
Income Tax
$1,580
$1,037
Intergovernmental
$1,897
$6,852
Charges & Fees
$2,633
$3,256
Other
$2,174
$1,836

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

AlbuquerqueOklahoma City
Fire Protection
$440
$513
Highways & Roads
$172
$0
Public Welfare
$419
$1,525
Health
$291
$5
Hospitals
$328
$2,044
Parks & Recreation
$1,990
$2,014
Housing
$4,080
$2,857
Utilities
$5,212
$4,523
Interest on Debt
$1,096
$707
Other
$3,209
$3,886
A
Albuquerque, NM
Fiscal Health Score: 81/100
Excellent fiscal health
B
Oklahoma City, OK
Fiscal Health Score: 65/100
Good fiscal health

Compare More Cities

Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.