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

Buffalo, NY vs Rochester, NY

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

Summary

Rochester spends 19.7% more per capita than Buffalo ($14,800/person difference). Buffalo, NY has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 57/100).

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
Rochester, NY
Pop. 210,992
D
47/100
Budget Balance17
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity21
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Buffalo
Rochester
Total Spending
$16.7B
$15.9B
Spending / Capita
$60,354
$75,154
Total Revenue
$3.8B
$1.5B
Revenue / Capita
$13,649
$7,104
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
276,688
210,992
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Buffalo$306
Rochester$293
Highways & Roads
Buffalo$432
Rochester$379
Parks & Recreation
Buffalo$410
Rochester$910
Education
Buffalo$39,263
Rochester$42,739
Health
Buffalo$0
Rochester$753

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

BuffaloRochester
Sales Tax
$252
$511
Income Tax
$898
$1,427
Intergovernmental
$840
$3,814
Charges & Fees
$1,679
$1,993
Other
$2,952
$825

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

BuffaloRochester
Fire Protection
$306
$293
Highways & Roads
$432
$379
Education
$39,263
$42,739
Public Welfare
$1,112
$140
Health
$0
$753
Hospitals
$0
$764
Parks & Recreation
$410
$910
Housing
$3,491
$5,169
Sewerage
$189
$547
Utilities
$3,425
$5,082
Interest on Debt
$0
$215
Other
$11,726
$18,162
C
Buffalo, NY
Fiscal Health Score: 57/100
Average fiscal health
D
Rochester, NY
Fiscal Health Score: 47/100
Below average fiscal health

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