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

Buffalo, NY vs Albany, NY

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

Summary

Buffalo spends 29.5% more per capita than Albany ($13,759/person difference). Albany, NY has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 63/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Buffalo, NY
Pop. 276,688
C
57/100
Budget Balance28
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Albany, NY
Pop. 99,692
C
63/100
Budget Balance50
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Buffalo
Albany
Total Spending
$16.7B
$4.6B
Spending / Capita
$60,354
$46,595
Total Revenue
$3.8B
$2.9B
Revenue / Capita
$13,649
$29,490
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
276,688
99,692
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Buffalo$0
Albany$3,815
Fire Protection
Buffalo$306
Albany$558
Highways & Roads
Buffalo$432
Albany$391
Parks & Recreation
Buffalo$410
Albany$663
Education
Buffalo$39,263
Albany$0
Health
Buffalo$0
Albany$91

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

BuffaloAlbany
Sales Tax
$252
$1,242
Income Tax
$898
$0
Intergovernmental
$840
$3,947
Charges & Fees
$1,679
$0
Other
$2,952
$6,604

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

BuffaloAlbany
Police
$0
$3,815
Fire Protection
$306
$558
Highways & Roads
$432
$391
Education
$39,263
$0
Public Welfare
$1,112
$1,363
Health
$0
$91
Parks & Recreation
$410
$663
Housing
$3,491
$2,042
Sewerage
$189
$0
Utilities
$3,425
$13,046
Interest on Debt
$0
$88
Other
$11,726
$24,538
C
Buffalo, NY
Fiscal Health Score: 57/100
Average fiscal health
C
Albany, NY
Fiscal Health Score: 63/100
Average fiscal health

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