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

Lawrence, KS vs Wichita, KS

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

Summary

Lawrence spends 533.2% more per capita than Wichita ($42,585/person difference). Wichita, KS has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 90/100).

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
Wichita, KS
Pop. 395,951
A
90/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Lawrence
Wichita
Total Spending
$4.8B
$3.2B
Spending / Capita
$50,571
$7,986
Total Revenue
$4.0B
$10.7B
Revenue / Capita
$41,962
$27,057
Total Debt
$141.4M
$52.2M
Debt / Capita
$1,487
$132
Population
95,103
395,951
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Lawrence$701
Wichita$152
Highways & Roads
Lawrence$152
Wichita$126
Parks & Recreation
Lawrence$1,334
Wichita$874
Education
Lawrence$50
Wichita$2
Health
Lawrence$528
Wichita$254

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

LawrenceWichita
Sales Tax
$452
$246
Income Tax
$1,646
$57
Intergovernmental
$610
$3,895
Charges & Fees
$2,976
$3,193
Other
$5,396
$2,783

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

LawrenceWichita
Fire Protection
$701
$152
Highways & Roads
$152
$126
Education
$50
$2
Public Welfare
$1,409
$441
Health
$528
$254
Hospitals
$201
$113
Parks & Recreation
$1,334
$874
Housing
$2,611
$2,618
Utilities
$3,966
$1,225
Interest on Debt
$301
$70
General Admin
$32,300
$0
Other
$7,016
$2,111
D
Lawrence, KS
Fiscal Health Score: 40/100
Below average fiscal health
A
Wichita, KS
Fiscal Health Score: 90/100
Excellent fiscal health

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