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

Columbus, OH vs Atlanta, GA

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

Summary

Atlanta spends 25.9% more per capita than Columbus ($6,599/person difference). Atlanta, GA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 85/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Columbus, OH
Pop. 902,449
C
52/100
Budget Balance32
Debt Burden46
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency94
Revenue Diversity0
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
$17.0B
$12.6B
Spending / Capita
$18,858
$25,457
Total Revenue
$0
$77.6B
Revenue / Capita
$0
$156,803
Total Debt
$1.0B
$0
Debt / Capita
$1,145
$0
Population
902,449
494,838
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Columbus$0
Atlanta$315
Fire Protection
Columbus$1,016
Atlanta$464
Highways & Roads
Columbus$224
Atlanta$513
Parks & Recreation
Columbus$2,168
Atlanta$1,274
Education
Columbus$0
Atlanta$25

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbusAtlanta
Property Tax
$10
$419
Sales Tax
$234
$0
Income Tax
$1
$1,292
Intergovernmental
$0
$9,121
Charges & Fees
$2,389
$5,645
Other
$5,248
$5,461

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbusAtlanta
Police
$0
$315
Fire Protection
$1,016
$464
Highways & Roads
$224
$513
Education
$0
$25
Public Welfare
$878
$1,587
Hospitals
$953
$55
Parks & Recreation
$2,168
$1,274
Housing
$4,303
$4,594
Sewerage
$1
$343
Utilities
$1,719
$8,026
Other
$7,595
$8,262
C
Columbus, OH
Fiscal Health Score: 52/100
Average fiscal health
A
Atlanta, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 85/100
Excellent fiscal health

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