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

Columbia, MO vs Independence, MO

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

Summary

Columbia spends 68.3% more per capita than Independence ($5,582/person difference). Independence, MO has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 80/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Columbia, MO
Pop. 126,172
B
71/100
Budget Balance66
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency98
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Independence, MO
Pop. 122,218
A
80/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Columbia
Independence
Total Spending
$1.7B
$999.2M
Spending / Capita
$13,757
$8,176
Total Revenue
$3.0B
$4.7B
Revenue / Capita
$23,577
$38,346
Total Debt
$22.0M
$0
Debt / Capita
$175
$0
Population
126,172
122,218
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Columbia$355
Independence$39
Parks & Recreation
Columbia$1,099
Independence$611

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbiaIndependence
Property Tax
$0
$1
Sales Tax
$668
$480
Income Tax
$2,110
$0
Intergovernmental
$23,577
$38,346
Charges & Fees
$2,293
$2,807
Other
$2,632
$3,970

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbiaIndependence
Fire Protection
$355
$39
Public Welfare
$901
$345
Hospitals
$77
$406
Parks & Recreation
$1,099
$611
Housing
$1,692
$2,769
Utilities
$3,124
$1,599
Interest on Debt
$419
$0
Other
$6,091
$2,407
B
Columbia, MO
Fiscal Health Score: 71/100
Good fiscal health
A
Independence, MO
Fiscal Health Score: 80/100
Excellent fiscal health

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