Columbus, OH vs Milwaukee, WI
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Milwaukee, WI and Columbus, OH spend within 3.0% of each other per resident — $19,417 versus $18,858 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Milwaukee, WI holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 62/100 (grade C) against 52/100 (grade C) for Columbus, OH — a 10-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
Milwaukee, WI reports no outstanding debt per resident in its Census filing, while Columbus, OH carries $1,145 per resident. Their budgets diverge on where the largest per-resident dollars go: Columbus, OH leads with parks and recreation at $2,168 per resident, while Milwaukee, WI leads with police at $3,642.
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
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| 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)
| 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 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.