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

Austin, TX vs Denver, CO

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

Summary

Denver spends 35.2% more per capita than Austin ($11,810/person difference). Austin, TX has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 75/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Austin, TX
Pop. 958,202
B
75/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden38
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency80
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Denver, CO
Pop. 710,800
C
51/100
Budget Balance68
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency26
Revenue Diversity99
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Austin
Denver
Total Spending
$20.9B
$23.9B
Spending / Capita
$21,772
$33,582
Total Revenue
$74.4B
$86.8B
Revenue / Capita
$77,600
$122,063
Total Debt
$1.2B
$3.6B
Debt / Capita
$1,229
$5,126
Population
958,202
710,800
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Austin$0
Denver$2,455
Fire Protection
Austin$634
Denver$1,668
Highways & Roads
Austin$0
Denver$475
Parks & Recreation
Austin$1,801
Denver$3,319
Education
Austin$51
Denver$821
Health
Austin$517
Denver$693

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

AustinDenver
Sales Tax
$526
$2,070
Income Tax
$1,465
$236
Intergovernmental
$14,031
$44,661
Charges & Fees
$3,247
$5,207
Other
$5,645
$10,100

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

AustinDenver
Police
$0
$2,455
Fire Protection
$634
$1,668
Highways & Roads
$0
$475
Education
$51
$821
Public Welfare
$1,837
$764
Health
$517
$693
Hospitals
$664
$2,855
Parks & Recreation
$1,801
$3,319
Housing
$3,741
$3,565
Sewerage
$865
$293
Utilities
$3,264
$4,292
Interest on Debt
$0
$7
General Admin
$0
$364
Other
$8,399
$12,011
B
Austin, TX
Fiscal Health Score: 75/100
Good fiscal health
C
Denver, CO
Fiscal Health Score: 51/100
Average fiscal health

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