Chicago, IL vs Detroit, MI
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Chicago, IL and Detroit, MI spend within 11.1% of each other per resident — $34,551 versus $31,087 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Detroit, MI holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 69/100 (grade B) against 61/100 (grade C) for Chicago, IL — a 8-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, Detroit, MI carries the lighter load at $776 per resident versus $977 for Chicago, IL. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: fire protection leads in Chicago, IL at $10,754 per resident and in Detroit, MI at $2,429.
They also fund themselves differently: intergovernmental transfers is the largest single revenue source in Chicago, IL at 100% of total revenue, whereas Detroit, MI relies most on other revenue at 15%.
Summary
Chicago spends 11.1% more per capita than Detroit ($3,464/person difference). Detroit, MI has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 69/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $26 | $44 |
| Sales Tax | $74 | $200 |
| Income Tax | $229 | $1,045 |
| Intergovernmental | $85,083 | $291 |
| Charges & Fees | $2,847 | $2,228 |
| Other | $3,463 | $6,892 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $10,754 | $2,429 |
| Highways & Roads | $930 | $0 |
| Public Welfare | $1,858 | $833 |
| Health | $426 | $396 |
| Hospitals | $1,444 | $2,217 |
| Parks & Recreation | $122 | $950 |
| Housing | $6,520 | $5,791 |
| Sewerage | $129 | $451 |
| Utilities | $2,983 | $2,737 |
| Interest on Debt | $0 | $2,068 |
| Other | $9,385 | $13,216 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.