Cambridge, MA vs Quincy, MA
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Cambridge, MA outspends Quincy, MA by a wide margin per resident — $130,737 versus $47,287, a 176% difference. A gap this size usually reflects a structurally different service mix or accounting scope rather than a single line item.
Cambridge, MA holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 56/100 (grade C) against 43/100 (grade D) for Quincy, MA — a 13-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, Cambridge, MA carries the lighter load at $420 per resident versus $1,638 for Quincy, MA. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: education leads in Cambridge, MA at $25,601 per resident and in Quincy, MA at $21,538.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 16% of total revenue in Cambridge, MA and 18% in Quincy, MA.
Summary
Cambridge spends 176.5% more per capita than Quincy ($83,450/person difference). Cambridge, MA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 56/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Sales Tax | $1,121 | $100 |
| Intergovernmental | $7,117 | $15,074 |
| Charges & Fees | $1,585 | $2,340 |
| Other | $6,370 | $3,310 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $672 | $464 |
| Highways & Roads | $467 | $774 |
| Education | $25,601 | $21,538 |
| Public Welfare | $737 | $778 |
| Health | $998 | $374 |
| Hospitals | $508 | $1,076 |
| Parks & Recreation | $2,179 | $661 |
| Housing | $4,715 | $3,703 |
| Sewerage | $1,718 | $587 |
| Utilities | $2,291 | $2,689 |
| General Admin | $76,486 | $0 |
| Other | $14,364 | $14,644 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.