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

Madison, WI vs Appleton, WI

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

Summary

Madison spends 43.4% more per capita than Appleton ($6,618/person difference). Both cities share the same Fiscal Health Score.

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Madison, WI
Pop. 268,516
A
87/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency80
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Appleton, WI
Pop. 75,133
A
87/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency81
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Madison
Appleton
Total Spending
$5.9B
$1.1B
Spending / Capita
$21,859
$15,241
Total Revenue
$11.3B
$2.8B
Revenue / Capita
$41,927
$37,069
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
268,516
75,133
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Madison$264
Appleton$206
Highways & Roads
Madison$47
Appleton$81
Parks & Recreation
Madison$1,572
Appleton$661
Education
Madison$0
Appleton$0
Health
Madison$744
Appleton$684

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MadisonAppleton
Property Tax
$770
$1,550
Sales Tax
$1,178
$558
Income Tax
$32
$226
Intergovernmental
$7,913
$5,693
Charges & Fees
$1,755
$1,875
Other
$2,381
$1,817

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

MadisonAppleton
Fire Protection
$264
$206
Highways & Roads
$47
$81
Education
$0
$0
Public Welfare
$1,769
$2,412
Health
$744
$684
Hospitals
$1,664
$75
Parks & Recreation
$1,572
$661
Housing
$3,100
$2,686
Sewerage
$166
$130
Utilities
$3,406
$2,687
Interest on Debt
$2,451
$1,257
Other
$6,676
$4,363
A
Madison, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 87/100
Excellent fiscal health
A
Appleton, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 87/100
Excellent fiscal health

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