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

Columbus, OH vs Kansas City, MO

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

Summary

Kansas City spends 17.4% more per capita than Columbus ($3,962/person difference). Both cities share the same Fiscal Health Score.

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
Kansas City, MO
Pop. 505,958
C
52/100
Budget Balance1
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency76
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Columbus
Kansas City
Total Spending
$17.0B
$11.5B
Spending / Capita
$18,858
$22,820
Total Revenue
$0
$675.4M
Revenue / Capita
$0
$1,335
Total Debt
$1.0B
$0
Debt / Capita
$1,145
$0
Population
902,449
505,958
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Columbus$1,016
Kansas City$119
Highways & Roads
Columbus$224
Kansas City$0
Parks & Recreation
Columbus$2,168
Kansas City$1,309

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbusKansas City
Property Tax
$10
$0
Sales Tax
$234
$623
Income Tax
$1
$0
Intergovernmental
$0
$7
Charges & Fees
$2,389
$3,794
Other
$5,248
$11,150

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbusKansas City
Fire Protection
$1,016
$119
Highways & Roads
$224
$0
Public Welfare
$878
$3,018
Hospitals
$953
$1,849
Parks & Recreation
$2,168
$1,309
Housing
$4,303
$4,681
Sewerage
$1
$0
Utilities
$1,719
$3,123
Other
$7,595
$8,721
C
Columbus, OH
Fiscal Health Score: 52/100
Average fiscal health
C
Kansas City, MO
Fiscal Health Score: 52/100
Average fiscal health

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