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

Detroit, MI vs Indianapolis city (balance), IN

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

Summary

Indianapolis city (balance) spends 32.5% more per capita than Detroit ($14,958/person difference). Indianapolis city (balance), IN has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 74/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Detroit, MI
Pop. 636,787
B
69/100
Budget Balance70
Debt Burden79
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency38
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
B
74/100
Budget Balance98
Debt Burden98
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Detroit
Indianapolis city (balance)
Total Spending
$19.8B
$40.6B
Spending / Capita
$31,087
$46,045
Total Revenue
$28.4B
$66.0B
Revenue / Capita
$44,533
$74,799
Total Debt
$493.9M
$509.0M
Debt / Capita
$776
$577
Population
636,787
882,006
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Detroit$0
Indianapolis city (balance)$2,032
Fire Protection
Detroit$2,429
Indianapolis city (balance)$397
Parks & Recreation
Detroit$950
Indianapolis city (balance)$798
Health
Detroit$396
Indianapolis city (balance)$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

DetroitIndianapolis city (balance)
Property Tax
$44
$20
Sales Tax
$200
$178
Income Tax
$1,045
$136
Intergovernmental
$291
$1,312
Charges & Fees
$2,228
$2,813
Other
$6,892
$4,675

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

DetroitIndianapolis city (balance)
Police
$0
$2,032
Fire Protection
$2,429
$397
Public Welfare
$833
$1,469
Health
$396
$0
Hospitals
$2,217
$2,453
Parks & Recreation
$950
$798
Housing
$5,791
$2,664
Sewerage
$451
$248
Utilities
$2,737
$2,227
Interest on Debt
$2,068
$1,381
General Admin
$0
$23,227
Other
$13,216
$9,149
B
Detroit, MI
Fiscal Health Score: 69/100
Good fiscal health
B
Indianapolis city (balance), IN
Fiscal Health Score: 74/100
Good fiscal health

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