Detroit, MI vs Albuquerque, NM

Detroit, MI outspends Albuquerque, NM by a wide margin per resident — $31,087 versus $17,237, a 80% difference. A gap this size usually reflects a structurally different service mix or accounting scope rather than a single line item.

Albuquerque, NM holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 81/100 (grade A) against 69/100 (grade B) for Detroit, MI — a 12-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.

On debt, Albuquerque, NM carries the lighter load at $613 per resident versus $776 for Detroit, MI. Their budgets diverge on where the largest per-resident dollars go: Detroit, MI leads with fire protection at $2,429 per resident, while Albuquerque, NM leads with parks and recreation at $1,990.

They also fund themselves differently: other revenue is the largest single revenue source in Detroit, MI at 15% of total revenue, whereas Albuquerque, NM relies most on charges and fees at 11%.