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

Columbus, OH vs Milwaukee, WI

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

Summary

Milwaukee spends 2.9% more per capita than Columbus ($559/person difference). Milwaukee, WI has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 62/100).

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
Milwaukee, WI
Pop. 573,299
C
62/100
Budget Balance32
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency91
Revenue Diversity1
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Columbus
Milwaukee
Total Spending
$17.0B
$11.1B
Spending / Capita
$18,858
$19,417
Total Revenue
$0
$6.3B
Revenue / Capita
$0
$11,027
Total Debt
$1.0B
$0
Debt / Capita
$1,145
$0
Population
902,449
573,299
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Columbus$0
Milwaukee$3,642
Fire Protection
Columbus$1,016
Milwaukee$802
Highways & Roads
Columbus$224
Milwaukee$23
Parks & Recreation
Columbus$2,168
Milwaukee$2,206
Health
Columbus$0
Milwaukee$1

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbusMilwaukee
Property Tax
$10
$0
Sales Tax
$234
$6,548
Income Tax
$1
$1
Intergovernmental
$0
$1,231
Charges & Fees
$2,389
$0
Other
$5,248
$3,984

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbusMilwaukee
Police
$0
$3,642
Fire Protection
$1,016
$802
Highways & Roads
$224
$23
Public Welfare
$878
$180
Health
$0
$1
Hospitals
$953
$0
Parks & Recreation
$2,168
$2,206
Housing
$4,303
$1,071
Sewerage
$1
$0
Utilities
$1,719
$1,866
Interest on Debt
$0
$1,608
Other
$7,595
$8,018
C
Columbus, OH
Fiscal Health Score: 52/100
Average fiscal health
C
Milwaukee, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 62/100
Average fiscal health

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