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

Bristol, CT vs Waterbury, CT

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

Summary

Waterbury spends 18.9% more per capita than Bristol ($10,450/person difference). Waterbury, CT has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (D, 41/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Bristol, CT
Pop. 61,052
D
40/100
Budget Balance0
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Waterbury, CT
Pop. 114,480
D
41/100
Budget Balance2
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Bristol
Waterbury
Total Spending
$2.7B
$6.3B
Spending / Capita
$44,977
$55,426
Total Revenue
$1.2B
$4.8B
Revenue / Capita
$20,060
$42,242
Total Debt
$2.9M
$12.3M
Debt / Capita
$47
$108
Population
61,052
114,480
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Bristol$379
Waterbury$2,439
Highways & Roads
Bristol$219
Waterbury$0
Parks & Recreation
Bristol$777
Waterbury$161
Education
Bristol$30,607
Waterbury$33,920
Health
Bristol$413
Waterbury$173

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

BristolWaterbury
Sales Tax
$89
$251
Income Tax
$67
$3
Intergovernmental
$20,060
$42,242
Charges & Fees
$1,528
$1,249
Other
$2,307
$2,485

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

BristolWaterbury
Fire Protection
$379
$2,439
Highways & Roads
$219
$0
Education
$30,607
$33,920
Public Welfare
$1,237
$1,768
Health
$413
$173
Hospitals
$270
$313
Parks & Recreation
$777
$161
Housing
$3,405
$3,627
Sewerage
$112
$74
Utilities
$2,175
$869
Other
$5,384
$12,083
D
Bristol, CT
Fiscal Health Score: 40/100
Below average fiscal health
D
Waterbury, CT
Fiscal Health Score: 41/100
Below average fiscal health

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