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

Grand Rapids, MI vs Lansing, MI

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

Summary

Lansing spends 28.4% more per capita than Grand Rapids ($8,777/person difference). Lansing, MI has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 55/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Grand Rapids, MI
Pop. 198,096
D
42/100
Budget Balance59
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency49
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Lansing, MI
Pop. 112,986
C
55/100
Budget Balance57
Debt Burden54
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Grand Rapids
Lansing
Total Spending
$4.4B
$3.5B
Spending / Capita
$22,146
$30,923
Total Revenue
$5.0B
$10.8B
Revenue / Capita
$25,397
$95,909
Total Debt
$276.2M
$90.0M
Debt / Capita
$1,394
$796
Population
198,096
112,986
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Grand Rapids$1,930
Lansing$3,190
Parks & Recreation
Grand Rapids$882
Lansing$2,023
Education
Grand Rapids$133
Lansing$61
Health
Grand Rapids$711
Lansing$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

Grand RapidsLansing
Property Tax
$167
$0
Sales Tax
$1,089
$611
Income Tax
$429
$698
Intergovernmental
$25,397
$20,165
Charges & Fees
$2,769
$4,486
Other
$5,091
$6,549

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

Grand RapidsLansing
Fire Protection
$1,930
$3,190
Education
$133
$61
Public Welfare
$366
$2,424
Health
$711
$0
Hospitals
$2,409
$2,917
Parks & Recreation
$882
$2,023
Housing
$3,014
$4,499
Sewerage
$252
$0
Utilities
$2,755
$3,743
Other
$9,692
$12,066
D
Grand Rapids, MI
Fiscal Health Score: 42/100
Below average fiscal health
C
Lansing, MI
Fiscal Health Score: 55/100
Average fiscal health

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