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

Lowell, MA vs Springfield, MA

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

Summary

Springfield spends 26.2% more per capita than Lowell ($17,169/person difference). Lowell, MA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 50/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Lowell, MA
Pop. 114,737
C
50/100
Budget Balance3
Debt Burden94
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Springfield, MA
Pop. 155,305
D
44/100
Budget Balance15
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Lowell
Springfield
Total Spending
$5.6B
$10.2B
Spending / Capita
$48,457
$65,626
Total Revenue
$3.1B
$2.4B
Revenue / Capita
$27,222
$15,275
Total Debt
$53.9M
$0
Debt / Capita
$470
$0
Population
114,737
155,305
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Lowell$194
Springfield$829
Highways & Roads
Lowell$182
Springfield$308
Parks & Recreation
Lowell$292
Springfield$673
Education
Lowell$31,397
Springfield$47,090
Health
Lowell$139
Springfield$453

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

LowellSpringfield
Sales Tax
$639
$34
Income Tax
$274
$0
Intergovernmental
$4,160
$15,275
Charges & Fees
$1,061
$0
Other
$2,654
$770

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

LowellSpringfield
Fire Protection
$194
$829
Highways & Roads
$182
$308
Education
$31,397
$47,090
Public Welfare
$349
$640
Health
$139
$453
Hospitals
$425
$861
Parks & Recreation
$292
$673
Housing
$2,733
$3,784
Sewerage
$126
$282
Utilities
$1,234
$200
Other
$11,388
$10,507
C
Lowell, MA
Fiscal Health Score: 50/100
Average fiscal health
D
Springfield, MA
Fiscal Health Score: 44/100
Below average fiscal health

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