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

Appleton, WI vs Milwaukee, WI

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

Summary

Milwaukee spends 21.5% more per capita than Appleton ($4,176/person difference). Appleton, WI has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 87/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Appleton, WI
Pop. 75,133
A
87/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency81
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Milwaukee, WI
Pop. 573,299
C
62/100
Budget Balance32
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency91
Revenue Diversity1
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Appleton
Milwaukee
Total Spending
$1.1B
$11.1B
Spending / Capita
$15,241
$19,417
Total Revenue
$2.8B
$6.3B
Revenue / Capita
$37,069
$11,027
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
75,133
573,299
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Appleton$0
Milwaukee$3,642
Fire Protection
Appleton$206
Milwaukee$802
Highways & Roads
Appleton$81
Milwaukee$23
Parks & Recreation
Appleton$661
Milwaukee$2,206
Health
Appleton$684
Milwaukee$1

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

AppletonMilwaukee
Property Tax
$1,550
$0
Sales Tax
$558
$6,548
Income Tax
$226
$1
Intergovernmental
$5,693
$1,231
Charges & Fees
$1,875
$0
Other
$1,817
$3,984

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

AppletonMilwaukee
Police
$0
$3,642
Fire Protection
$206
$802
Highways & Roads
$81
$23
Public Welfare
$2,412
$180
Health
$684
$1
Hospitals
$75
$0
Parks & Recreation
$661
$2,206
Housing
$2,686
$1,071
Sewerage
$130
$0
Utilities
$2,687
$1,866
Interest on Debt
$1,257
$1,608
Other
$4,363
$8,018
A
Appleton, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 87/100
Excellent fiscal health
C
Milwaukee, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 62/100
Average fiscal health

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