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

Lansing, MI vs Grand Rapids, MI

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

Summary

Lansing spends 39.6% 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
Lansing, MI
Pop. 112,986
C
55/100
Budget Balance57
Debt Burden54
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Grand Rapids, MI
Pop. 198,096
D
42/100
Budget Balance59
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency49
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

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

Per Capita Spending by Department

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

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

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