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

Madison, WI vs Milwaukee, WI

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

Summary

Madison spends 12.6% more per capita than Milwaukee ($2,442/person difference). Madison, WI has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 87/100).

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
Milwaukee, WI
Pop. 573,299
C
62/100
Budget Balance32
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency91
Revenue Diversity1
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Madison
Milwaukee
Total Spending
$5.9B
$11.1B
Spending / Capita
$21,859
$19,417
Total Revenue
$11.3B
$6.3B
Revenue / Capita
$41,927
$11,027
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
268,516
573,299
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Madison$0
Milwaukee$3,642
Fire Protection
Madison$264
Milwaukee$802
Highways & Roads
Madison$47
Milwaukee$23
Parks & Recreation
Madison$1,572
Milwaukee$2,206
Education
Madison$0
Milwaukee$0
Health
Madison$744
Milwaukee$1

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MadisonMilwaukee
Property Tax
$770
$0
Sales Tax
$1,178
$6,548
Income Tax
$32
$1
Intergovernmental
$7,913
$1,231
Charges & Fees
$1,755
$0
Other
$2,381
$3,984

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

MadisonMilwaukee
Police
$0
$3,642
Fire Protection
$264
$802
Highways & Roads
$47
$23
Education
$0
$0
Public Welfare
$1,769
$180
Health
$744
$1
Hospitals
$1,664
$0
Parks & Recreation
$1,572
$2,206
Housing
$3,100
$1,071
Sewerage
$166
$0
Utilities
$3,406
$1,866
Interest on Debt
$2,451
$1,608
Other
$6,676
$8,018
A
Madison, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 87/100
Excellent fiscal health
C
Milwaukee, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 62/100
Average fiscal health

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