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

Lawrence, KS vs Topeka, KS

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

Summary

Lawrence spends 250.3% more per capita than Topeka ($36,136/person difference). Topeka, KS has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 87/100).

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
Topeka, KS
Pop. 126,431
A
87/100
Budget Balance90
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency94
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Lawrence
Topeka
Total Spending
$4.8B
$1.8B
Spending / Capita
$50,571
$14,435
Total Revenue
$4.0B
$4.7B
Revenue / Capita
$41,962
$37,151
Total Debt
$141.4M
$3.8M
Debt / Capita
$1,487
$30
Population
95,103
126,431
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Lawrence$701
Topeka$190
Highways & Roads
Lawrence$152
Topeka$353
Parks & Recreation
Lawrence$1,334
Topeka$55
Education
Lawrence$50
Topeka$0
Health
Lawrence$528
Topeka$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

LawrenceTopeka
Property Tax
$0
$823
Sales Tax
$452
$182
Income Tax
$1,646
$0
Intergovernmental
$610
$3,030
Charges & Fees
$2,976
$6,883
Other
$5,396
$4,080

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

LawrenceTopeka
Fire Protection
$701
$190
Highways & Roads
$152
$353
Education
$50
$0
Public Welfare
$1,409
$3,253
Health
$528
$0
Hospitals
$201
$0
Parks & Recreation
$1,334
$55
Housing
$2,611
$3,032
Utilities
$3,966
$3,548
Interest on Debt
$301
$663
General Admin
$32,300
$0
Other
$7,016
$3,342
D
Lawrence, KS
Fiscal Health Score: 40/100
Below average fiscal health
A
Topeka, KS
Fiscal Health Score: 87/100
Excellent fiscal health

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