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

Madison, WI vs Waukesha, WI

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

Summary

Waukesha spends 42.9% more per capita than Madison ($16,456/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
Waukesha, WI
Pop. 70,945
C
53/100
Budget Balance13
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Madison
Waukesha
Total Spending
$5.9B
$2.7B
Spending / Capita
$21,859
$38,315
Total Revenue
$11.3B
$851.5M
Revenue / Capita
$41,927
$12,002
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
268,516
70,945
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Madison$0
Waukesha$2,927
Fire Protection
Madison$264
Waukesha$856
Highways & Roads
Madison$47
Waukesha$1,204
Parks & Recreation
Madison$1,572
Waukesha$1,677
Education
Madison$0
Waukesha$0
Health
Madison$744
Waukesha$523

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MadisonWaukesha
Property Tax
$770
$1
Sales Tax
$1,178
$891
Income Tax
$32
$0
Intergovernmental
$7,913
$3,249
Charges & Fees
$1,755
$0
Other
$2,381
$2,389

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

MadisonWaukesha
Police
$0
$2,927
Fire Protection
$264
$856
Highways & Roads
$47
$1,204
Education
$0
$0
Public Welfare
$1,769
$1,186
Health
$744
$523
Hospitals
$1,664
$0
Parks & Recreation
$1,572
$1,677
Housing
$3,100
$4,755
Sewerage
$166
$0
Utilities
$3,406
$6,106
Interest on Debt
$2,451
$88
Other
$6,676
$18,994
A
Madison, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 87/100
Excellent fiscal health
C
Waukesha, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 53/100
Average fiscal health

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