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

Baltimore, MD vs Boston, MA

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

Summary

Boston spends 6.0% more per capita than Baltimore ($4,364/person difference). Baltimore, MD has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 70/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Baltimore, MD
Pop. 584,548
B
70/100
Budget Balance79
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Boston, MA
Pop. 665,945
C
56/100
Budget Balance25
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Baltimore
Boston
Total Spending
$39.7B
$48.1B
Spending / Capita
$67,935
$72,299
Total Revenue
$41.3B
$20.8B
Revenue / Capita
$70,679
$31,243
Total Debt
$0
$296.3M
Debt / Capita
$0
$445
Population
584,548
665,945
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Baltimore$820
Boston$0
Fire Protection
Baltimore$1,214
Boston$1,107
Highways & Roads
Baltimore$676
Boston$594
Parks & Recreation
Baltimore$384
Boston$711
Education
Baltimore$35,510
Boston$30,742
Health
Baltimore$757
Boston$725

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

BaltimoreBoston
Property Tax
$84
$0
Sales Tax
$55
$78
Income Tax
$375
$0
Intergovernmental
$5,085
$5,357
Charges & Fees
$2,192
$2,784
Other
$4,765
$4,557

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

BaltimoreBoston
Police
$820
$0
Fire Protection
$1,214
$1,107
Highways & Roads
$676
$594
Education
$35,510
$30,742
Public Welfare
$714
$1,110
Health
$757
$725
Hospitals
$1,877
$2,584
Parks & Recreation
$384
$711
Housing
$4,087
$6,614
Sewerage
$87
$355
Utilities
$3,809
$3,402
General Admin
$19
$5,401
Other
$17,981
$18,955
B
Baltimore, MD
Fiscal Health Score: 70/100
Good fiscal health
C
Boston, MA
Fiscal Health Score: 56/100
Average fiscal health

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