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

Baltimore, MD vs Detroit, MI

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

Summary

Baltimore spends 118.5% more per capita than Detroit ($36,848/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
Detroit, MI
Pop. 636,787
B
69/100
Budget Balance70
Debt Burden79
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency38
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Baltimore
Detroit
Total Spending
$39.7B
$19.8B
Spending / Capita
$67,935
$31,087
Total Revenue
$41.3B
$28.4B
Revenue / Capita
$70,679
$44,533
Total Debt
$0
$493.9M
Debt / Capita
$0
$776
Population
584,548
636,787
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Baltimore$820
Detroit$0
Fire Protection
Baltimore$1,214
Detroit$2,429
Highways & Roads
Baltimore$676
Detroit$0
Parks & Recreation
Baltimore$384
Detroit$950
Education
Baltimore$35,510
Detroit$0
Health
Baltimore$757
Detroit$396

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

BaltimoreDetroit
Property Tax
$84
$44
Sales Tax
$55
$200
Income Tax
$375
$1,045
Intergovernmental
$5,085
$291
Charges & Fees
$2,192
$2,228
Other
$4,765
$6,892

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

BaltimoreDetroit
Police
$820
$0
Fire Protection
$1,214
$2,429
Highways & Roads
$676
$0
Education
$35,510
$0
Public Welfare
$714
$833
Health
$757
$396
Hospitals
$1,877
$2,217
Parks & Recreation
$384
$950
Housing
$4,087
$5,791
Sewerage
$87
$451
Utilities
$3,809
$2,737
Interest on Debt
$0
$2,068
General Admin
$19
$0
Other
$17,981
$13,216
B
Baltimore, MD
Fiscal Health Score: 70/100
Good fiscal health
B
Detroit, MI
Fiscal Health Score: 69/100
Good fiscal health

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