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

Columbus, OH vs San Diego, CA

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

Summary

San Diego spends 56.5% more per capita than Columbus ($24,448/person difference). San Diego, CA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 53/100).

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
San Diego, CA
Pop. 1,383,987
C
53/100
Budget Balance14
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity96
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Columbus
San Diego
Total Spending
$17.0B
$59.9B
Spending / Capita
$18,858
$43,306
Total Revenue
$0
$13.4B
Revenue / Capita
$0
$9,662
Total Debt
$1.0B
$0
Debt / Capita
$1,145
$0
Population
902,449
1,383,987
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Columbus$0
San Diego$3,335
Fire Protection
Columbus$1,016
San Diego$1,278
Highways & Roads
Columbus$224
San Diego$1,408
Parks & Recreation
Columbus$2,168
San Diego$436
Education
Columbus$0
San Diego$2,005
Health
Columbus$0
San Diego$411

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbusSan Diego
Property Tax
$10
$124
Sales Tax
$234
$63
Income Tax
$1
$194
Intergovernmental
$0
$57
Charges & Fees
$2,389
$14
Other
$5,248
$3,801

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbusSan Diego
Police
$0
$3,335
Fire Protection
$1,016
$1,278
Highways & Roads
$224
$1,408
Education
$0
$2,005
Public Welfare
$878
$700
Health
$0
$411
Hospitals
$953
$0
Parks & Recreation
$2,168
$436
Housing
$4,303
$4,476
Sewerage
$1
$43
Utilities
$1,719
$11,704
Other
$7,595
$17,509
C
Columbus, OH
Fiscal Health Score: 52/100
Average fiscal health
C
San Diego, CA
Fiscal Health Score: 53/100
Average fiscal health

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