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

Appleton, WI vs Waukesha, WI

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

Summary

Waukesha spends 60.2% more per capita than Appleton ($23,075/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
Waukesha, WI
Pop. 70,945
C
53/100
Budget Balance13
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Appleton
Waukesha
Total Spending
$1.1B
$2.7B
Spending / Capita
$15,241
$38,315
Total Revenue
$2.8B
$851.5M
Revenue / Capita
$37,069
$12,002
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
75,133
70,945
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Appleton$0
Waukesha$2,927
Fire Protection
Appleton$206
Waukesha$856
Highways & Roads
Appleton$81
Waukesha$1,204
Parks & Recreation
Appleton$661
Waukesha$1,677
Health
Appleton$684
Waukesha$523

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

AppletonWaukesha
Property Tax
$1,550
$1
Sales Tax
$558
$891
Income Tax
$226
$0
Intergovernmental
$5,693
$3,249
Charges & Fees
$1,875
$0
Other
$1,817
$2,389

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

AppletonWaukesha
Police
$0
$2,927
Fire Protection
$206
$856
Highways & Roads
$81
$1,204
Public Welfare
$2,412
$1,186
Health
$684
$523
Hospitals
$75
$0
Parks & Recreation
$661
$1,677
Housing
$2,686
$4,755
Sewerage
$130
$0
Utilities
$2,687
$6,106
Interest on Debt
$1,257
$88
Other
$4,363
$18,994
A
Appleton, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 87/100
Excellent fiscal health
C
Waukesha, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 53/100
Average fiscal health

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