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

Columbus, OH vs Lorain, OH

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

Summary

Columbus spends 13.3% more per capita than Lorain ($2,216/person difference). Lorain, OH has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 60/100).

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
Lorain, OH
Pop. 65,138
C
60/100
Budget Balance34
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency72
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Columbus
Lorain
Total Spending
$17.0B
$1.1B
Spending / Capita
$18,858
$16,642
Total Revenue
$0
$547.8M
Revenue / Capita
$0
$8,410
Total Debt
$1.0B
$0
Debt / Capita
$1,145
$0
Population
902,449
65,138
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Columbus$0
Lorain$4
Fire Protection
Columbus$1,016
Lorain$405
Highways & Roads
Columbus$224
Lorain$0
Parks & Recreation
Columbus$2,168
Lorain$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbusLorain
Property Tax
$10
$241
Sales Tax
$234
$0
Income Tax
$1
$0
Intergovernmental
$0
$622
Charges & Fees
$2,389
$0
Other
$5,248
$6,102

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbusLorain
Police
$0
$4
Fire Protection
$1,016
$405
Highways & Roads
$224
$0
Public Welfare
$878
$2,099
Hospitals
$953
$931
Parks & Recreation
$2,168
$0
Housing
$4,303
$619
Sewerage
$1
$0
Utilities
$1,719
$1,639
Interest on Debt
$0
$301
Other
$7,595
$10,644
C
Columbus, OH
Fiscal Health Score: 52/100
Average fiscal health
C
Lorain, OH
Fiscal Health Score: 60/100
Average fiscal health

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