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

Baltimore, MD vs Houston, TX

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

Summary

Baltimore spends 371.8% more per capita than Houston ($53,535/person difference). Houston, TX has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 83/100).

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
Houston, TX
Pop. 2,296,253
A
83/100
Budget Balance94
Debt Burden72
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Baltimore
Houston
Total Spending
$39.7B
$33.1B
Spending / Capita
$67,935
$14,400
Total Revenue
$41.3B
$127.7B
Revenue / Capita
$70,679
$55,600
Total Debt
$0
$2.0B
Debt / Capita
$0
$863
Population
584,548
2,296,253
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Baltimore$820
Houston$0
Fire Protection
Baltimore$1,214
Houston$295
Highways & Roads
Baltimore$676
Houston$175
Parks & Recreation
Baltimore$384
Houston$361
Education
Baltimore$35,510
Houston$0
Health
Baltimore$757
Houston$210

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

BaltimoreHouston
Property Tax
$84
$0
Sales Tax
$55
$181
Income Tax
$375
$39
Intergovernmental
$5,085
$33
Charges & Fees
$2,192
$3,475
Other
$4,765
$3,960

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

BaltimoreHouston
Police
$820
$0
Fire Protection
$1,214
$295
Highways & Roads
$676
$175
Education
$35,510
$0
Public Welfare
$714
$533
Health
$757
$210
Hospitals
$1,877
$511
Parks & Recreation
$384
$361
Housing
$4,087
$4,288
Sewerage
$87
$386
Utilities
$3,809
$1,339
General Admin
$19
$0
Other
$17,981
$6,301
B
Baltimore, MD
Fiscal Health Score: 70/100
Good fiscal health
A
Houston, TX
Fiscal Health Score: 83/100
Excellent fiscal health

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