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

Austin, TX vs Washington, DC

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

Summary

Washington spends 91.1% more per capita than Austin ($221,569/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
Washington, DC
Pop. 670,587
D
41/100
Budget Balance45
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Austin
Washington
Total Spending
$20.9B
$163.2B
Spending / Capita
$21,772
$243,341
Total Revenue
$74.4B
$186.2B
Revenue / Capita
$77,600
$277,701
Total Debt
$1.2B
$1.7B
Debt / Capita
$1,229
$2,516
Population
958,202
670,587
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Austin$0
Washington$4,183
Fire Protection
Austin$634
Washington$4,262
Highways & Roads
Austin$0
Washington$1,435
Parks & Recreation
Austin$1,801
Washington$5,459
Education
Austin$51
Washington$53,224
Health
Austin$517
Washington$1,009

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

AustinWashington
Property Tax
$0
$25
Sales Tax
$526
$991
Income Tax
$1,465
$141
Intergovernmental
$14,031
$18,754
Charges & Fees
$3,247
$4,070
Other
$5,645
$11,518

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

AustinWashington
Police
$0
$4,183
Fire Protection
$634
$4,262
Highways & Roads
$0
$1,435
Education
$51
$53,224
Public Welfare
$1,837
$2,498
Health
$517
$1,009
Hospitals
$664
$17,668
Parks & Recreation
$1,801
$5,459
Housing
$3,741
$10,296
Sewerage
$865
$2,881
Utilities
$3,264
$88,990
Interest on Debt
$0
$58
General Admin
$0
$3,225
Other
$8,399
$48,155
B
Austin, TX
Fiscal Health Score: 75/100
Good fiscal health
D
Washington, DC
Fiscal Health Score: 41/100
Below average fiscal health

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