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

Manhattan, KS vs Lawrence, KS

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

Summary

Lawrence spends 75.8% more per capita than Manhattan ($38,353/person difference). Manhattan, KS has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 80/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Manhattan, KS
Pop. 54,287
A
80/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Lawrence, KS
Pop. 95,103
D
40/100
Budget Balance38
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Manhattan
Lawrence
Total Spending
$663.3M
$4.8B
Spending / Capita
$12,218
$50,571
Total Revenue
$1.1B
$4.0B
Revenue / Capita
$20,434
$41,962
Total Debt
$2.5M
$141.4M
Debt / Capita
$46
$1,487
Population
54,287
95,103
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Manhattan$203
Lawrence$701
Highways & Roads
Manhattan$69
Lawrence$152
Parks & Recreation
Manhattan$1,328
Lawrence$1,334
Education
Manhattan$0
Lawrence$50
Health
Manhattan$680
Lawrence$528

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ManhattanLawrence
Sales Tax
$42
$452
Income Tax
$0
$1,646
Intergovernmental
$20,434
$610
Charges & Fees
$2,350
$2,976
Other
$3,349
$5,396

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ManhattanLawrence
Fire Protection
$203
$701
Highways & Roads
$69
$152
Education
$0
$50
Public Welfare
$806
$1,409
Health
$680
$528
Hospitals
$184
$201
Parks & Recreation
$1,328
$1,334
Housing
$0
$2,611
Sewerage
$173
$0
Utilities
$2,330
$3,966
Interest on Debt
$0
$301
General Admin
$0
$32,300
Other
$6,445
$7,016
A
Manhattan, KS
Fiscal Health Score: 80/100
Excellent fiscal health
D
Lawrence, KS
Fiscal Health Score: 40/100
Below average fiscal health

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