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

Columbus, OH vs Chicago, IL

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

Summary

Chicago spends 45.4% more per capita than Columbus ($15,693/person difference). Chicago, IL has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 61/100).

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
Chicago, IL
Pop. 2,721,914
C
61/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden61
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency22
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Columbus
Chicago
Total Spending
$17.0B
$94.0B
Spending / Capita
$18,858
$34,551
Total Revenue
$0
$231.6B
Revenue / Capita
$0
$85,083
Total Debt
$1.0B
$2.7B
Debt / Capita
$1,145
$977
Population
902,449
2,721,914
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Columbus$1,016
Chicago$10,754
Highways & Roads
Columbus$224
Chicago$930
Parks & Recreation
Columbus$2,168
Chicago$122
Health
Columbus$0
Chicago$426

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbusChicago
Property Tax
$10
$26
Sales Tax
$234
$74
Income Tax
$1
$229
Intergovernmental
$0
$85,083
Charges & Fees
$2,389
$2,847
Other
$5,248
$3,463

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbusChicago
Fire Protection
$1,016
$10,754
Highways & Roads
$224
$930
Public Welfare
$878
$1,858
Health
$0
$426
Hospitals
$953
$1,444
Parks & Recreation
$2,168
$122
Housing
$4,303
$6,520
Sewerage
$1
$129
Utilities
$1,719
$2,983
Other
$7,595
$9,385
C
Columbus, OH
Fiscal Health Score: 52/100
Average fiscal health
C
Chicago, IL
Fiscal Health Score: 61/100
Average fiscal health

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