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

Boston, MA vs Springfield, MA

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

Summary

Boston spends 10.2% more per capita than Springfield ($6,672/person difference). Boston, MA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 56/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Boston, MA
Pop. 665,945
C
56/100
Budget Balance25
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Springfield, MA
Pop. 155,305
D
44/100
Budget Balance15
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Boston
Springfield
Total Spending
$48.1B
$10.2B
Spending / Capita
$72,299
$65,626
Total Revenue
$20.8B
$2.4B
Revenue / Capita
$31,243
$15,275
Total Debt
$296.3M
$0
Debt / Capita
$445
$0
Population
665,945
155,305
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Boston$1,107
Springfield$829
Highways & Roads
Boston$594
Springfield$308
Parks & Recreation
Boston$711
Springfield$673
Education
Boston$30,742
Springfield$47,090
Health
Boston$725
Springfield$453

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

BostonSpringfield
Sales Tax
$78
$34
Intergovernmental
$5,357
$15,275
Charges & Fees
$2,784
$0
Other
$4,557
$770

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

BostonSpringfield
Fire Protection
$1,107
$829
Highways & Roads
$594
$308
Education
$30,742
$47,090
Public Welfare
$1,110
$640
Health
$725
$453
Hospitals
$2,584
$861
Parks & Recreation
$711
$673
Housing
$6,614
$3,784
Sewerage
$355
$282
Utilities
$3,402
$200
General Admin
$5,401
$0
Other
$18,955
$10,507
C
Boston, MA
Fiscal Health Score: 56/100
Average fiscal health
D
Springfield, MA
Fiscal Health Score: 44/100
Below average fiscal health

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