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

Albuquerque, NM vs Washington, DC

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

Reviewed by CitySpend Editorial Team · Updated

Washington, DC outspends Albuquerque, NM by a wide margin per resident — $243,341 versus $17,237, a 1312% difference. A gap this size usually reflects a structurally different service mix or accounting scope rather than a single line item.

Albuquerque, NM holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 81/100 (grade A) against 41/100 (grade D) for Washington, DC — a 40-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.

On debt, Albuquerque, NM carries the lighter load at $613 per resident versus $2,516 for Washington, DC. Their budgets diverge on where the largest per-resident dollars go: Albuquerque, NM leads with parks and recreation at $1,990 per resident, while Washington, DC leads with education at $53,224.

They also fund themselves differently: charges and fees is the largest single revenue source in Albuquerque, NM at 11% of total revenue, whereas Washington, DC relies most on intergovernmental transfers at 7%.

Summary

Washington spends 92.9% more per capita than Albuquerque ($226,103/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
Washington, DC
Pop. 670,587
D
41/100
Budget Balance45
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Albuquerque
Washington
Total Spending
$9.7B
$163.2B
Spending / Capita
$17,237
$243,341
Total Revenue
$13.3B
$186.2B
Revenue / Capita
$23,652
$277,701
Total Debt
$344.9M
$1.7B
Debt / Capita
$613
$2,516
Population
562,551
670,587
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Albuquerque$0
Washington$4,183
Fire Protection
Albuquerque$440
Washington$4,262
Highways & Roads
Albuquerque$172
Washington$1,435
Parks & Recreation
Albuquerque$1,990
Washington$5,459
Education
Albuquerque$0
Washington$53,224
Health
Albuquerque$291
Washington$1,009

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

AlbuquerqueWashington
Property Tax
$36
$25
Sales Tax
$355
$991
Income Tax
$1,580
$141
Intergovernmental
$1,897
$18,754
Charges & Fees
$2,633
$4,070
Other
$2,174
$11,518

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

AlbuquerqueWashington
Police
$0
$4,183
Fire Protection
$440
$4,262
Highways & Roads
$172
$1,435
Education
$0
$53,224
Public Welfare
$419
$2,498
Health
$291
$1,009
Hospitals
$328
$17,668
Parks & Recreation
$1,990
$5,459
Housing
$4,080
$10,296
Sewerage
$0
$2,881
Utilities
$5,212
$88,990
Interest on Debt
$1,096
$58
General Admin
$0
$3,225
Other
$3,209
$48,155
A
Albuquerque, NM
Fiscal Health Score: 81/100
Excellent fiscal health
D
Washington, DC
Fiscal Health Score: 41/100
Below average fiscal health

Compare More Cities

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