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

Lawrence, KS vs Manhattan, KS

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

Summary

Lawrence spends 313.9% more per capita than Manhattan ($38,353/person difference). Manhattan, KS has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 80/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Lawrence, KS
Pop. 95,103
D
40/100
Budget Balance38
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Manhattan, KS
Pop. 54,287
A
80/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Lawrence
Manhattan
Total Spending
$4.8B
$663.3M
Spending / Capita
$50,571
$12,218
Total Revenue
$4.0B
$1.1B
Revenue / Capita
$41,962
$20,434
Total Debt
$141.4M
$2.5M
Debt / Capita
$1,487
$46
Population
95,103
54,287
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Lawrence$701
Manhattan$203
Highways & Roads
Lawrence$152
Manhattan$69
Parks & Recreation
Lawrence$1,334
Manhattan$1,328
Education
Lawrence$50
Manhattan$0
Health
Lawrence$528
Manhattan$680

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

LawrenceManhattan
Sales Tax
$452
$42
Income Tax
$1,646
$0
Intergovernmental
$610
$20,434
Charges & Fees
$2,976
$2,350
Other
$5,396
$3,349

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

LawrenceManhattan
Fire Protection
$701
$203
Highways & Roads
$152
$69
Education
$50
$0
Public Welfare
$1,409
$806
Health
$528
$680
Hospitals
$201
$184
Parks & Recreation
$1,334
$1,328
Housing
$2,611
$0
Sewerage
$0
$173
Utilities
$3,966
$2,330
Interest on Debt
$301
$0
General Admin
$32,300
$0
Other
$7,016
$6,445
D
Lawrence, KS
Fiscal Health Score: 40/100
Below average fiscal health
A
Manhattan, KS
Fiscal Health Score: 80/100
Excellent fiscal health

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