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

Columbus, GA vs Atlanta, GA

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

Summary

Atlanta spends 39.0% more per capita than Columbus ($9,935/person difference). Atlanta, GA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 85/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Columbus, GA
Pop. 204,572
A
82/100
Budget Balance76
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency88
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Atlanta, GA
Pop. 494,838
A
85/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency64
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Columbus
Atlanta
Total Spending
$3.2B
$12.6B
Spending / Capita
$15,522
$25,457
Total Revenue
$4.4B
$77.6B
Revenue / Capita
$21,716
$156,803
Total Debt
$7.6M
$0
Debt / Capita
$37
$0
Population
204,572
494,838
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Columbus$1,611
Atlanta$315
Fire Protection
Columbus$699
Atlanta$464
Highways & Roads
Columbus$443
Atlanta$513
Parks & Recreation
Columbus$669
Atlanta$1,274
Education
Columbus$21
Atlanta$25

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbusAtlanta
Property Tax
$64
$419
Sales Tax
$315
$0
Income Tax
$688
$1,292
Intergovernmental
$792
$9,121
Charges & Fees
$2,259
$5,645
Other
$3,202
$5,461

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbusAtlanta
Police
$1,611
$315
Fire Protection
$699
$464
Highways & Roads
$443
$513
Education
$21
$25
Public Welfare
$1,247
$1,587
Hospitals
$170
$55
Parks & Recreation
$669
$1,274
Housing
$2,701
$4,594
Sewerage
$66
$343
Utilities
$1,989
$8,026
Other
$5,907
$8,262
A
Columbus, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 82/100
Excellent fiscal health
A
Atlanta, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 85/100
Excellent fiscal health

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