Detroit, MI vs Lansing, MI
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Detroit, MI and Lansing, MI spend within 0.5% of each other per resident — $31,087 versus $30,923 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Detroit, MI holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 69/100 (grade B) against 55/100 (grade C) for Lansing, MI — a 14-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, Detroit, MI carries the lighter load at $776 per resident versus $796 for Lansing, MI. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: fire protection leads in Detroit, MI at $2,429 per resident and in Lansing, MI at $3,190.
They also fund themselves differently: other revenue is the largest single revenue source in Detroit, MI at 15% of total revenue, whereas Lansing, MI relies most on intergovernmental transfers at 21%.
Summary
Detroit spends 0.5% more per capita than Lansing ($165/person difference). Detroit, MI has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 69/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $44 | $0 |
| Sales Tax | $200 | $611 |
| Income Tax | $1,045 | $698 |
| Intergovernmental | $291 | $20,165 |
| Charges & Fees | $2,228 | $4,486 |
| Other | $6,892 | $6,549 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $2,429 | $3,190 |
| Education | $0 | $61 |
| Public Welfare | $833 | $2,424 |
| Health | $396 | $0 |
| Hospitals | $2,217 | $2,917 |
| Parks & Recreation | $950 | $2,023 |
| Housing | $5,791 | $4,499 |
| Sewerage | $451 | $0 |
| Utilities | $2,737 | $3,743 |
| Interest on Debt | $2,068 | $0 |
| Other | $13,216 | $12,066 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.