Miami, FL vs Detroit, MI
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Detroit, MI and Miami, FL spend within 10.3% of each other per resident — $31,087 versus $28,195 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Detroit, MI holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 69/100 (grade B) against 53/100 (grade C) for Miami, FL — a 16-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
Miami, FL reports no outstanding debt per resident in its Census filing, while Detroit, MI carries $776 per resident. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: fire protection leads in Miami, FL at $7,399 per resident and in Detroit, MI at $2,429.
They also fund themselves differently: intergovernmental transfers is the largest single revenue source in Miami, FL at 100% of total revenue, whereas Detroit, MI relies most on other revenue at 15%.
Summary
Detroit spends 9.3% more per capita than Miami ($2,892/person difference). Detroit, MI has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 69/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $0 | $44 |
| Sales Tax | $1,647 | $200 |
| Income Tax | $0 | $1,045 |
| Intergovernmental | $15,037 | $291 |
| Charges & Fees | $0 | $2,228 |
| Other | $1,399 | $6,892 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $7,399 | $2,429 |
| Public Welfare | $109 | $833 |
| Health | $0 | $396 |
| Hospitals | $1,499 | $2,217 |
| Parks & Recreation | $1,783 | $950 |
| Housing | $6,840 | $5,791 |
| Sewerage | $699 | $451 |
| Utilities | $1,295 | $2,737 |
| Interest on Debt | $0 | $2,068 |
| Other | $8,572 | $13,216 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.