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

Columbus, GA vs Savannah, GA

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

Summary

Savannah spends 36.1% more per capita than Columbus ($8,759/person difference). Columbus, GA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 82/100).

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
Savannah, GA
Pop. 147,583
C
57/100
Budget Balance4
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency36
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Columbus
Savannah
Total Spending
$3.2B
$3.6B
Spending / Capita
$15,522
$24,281
Total Revenue
$4.4B
$2.8B
Revenue / Capita
$21,716
$18,788
Total Debt
$7.6M
$1.3M
Debt / Capita
$37
$9
Population
204,572
147,583
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Columbus$1,611
Savannah$0
Fire Protection
Columbus$699
Savannah$408
Highways & Roads
Columbus$443
Savannah$402
Parks & Recreation
Columbus$669
Savannah$1,980
Education
Columbus$21
Savannah$157

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbusSavannah
Property Tax
$64
$18
Sales Tax
$315
$1,601
Income Tax
$688
$2,611
Intergovernmental
$792
$413
Charges & Fees
$2,259
$1,501
Other
$3,202
$5,349

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbusSavannah
Police
$1,611
$0
Fire Protection
$699
$408
Highways & Roads
$443
$402
Education
$21
$157
Public Welfare
$1,247
$3,035
Hospitals
$170
$0
Parks & Recreation
$669
$1,980
Housing
$2,701
$4,362
Sewerage
$66
$266
Utilities
$1,989
$5,827
Other
$5,907
$7,844
A
Columbus, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 82/100
Excellent fiscal health
C
Savannah, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 57/100
Average fiscal health

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