Miami, FL vs Orlando, FL
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Orlando, FL and Miami, FL spend within 10.4% of each other per resident — $31,123 versus $28,195 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Orlando, FL holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 73/100 (grade B) against 53/100 (grade C) for Miami, FL — a 20-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
Neither city reports outstanding debt per resident in its current Census filing, which removes debt service as a point of difference between them. 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 Orlando, FL at $5,632.
They also fund themselves differently: intergovernmental transfers is the largest single revenue source in Miami, FL at 100% of total revenue, whereas Orlando, FL relies most on other revenue at 22%.
Summary
Orlando spends 9.4% more per capita than Miami ($2,928/person difference). Orlando, FL has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 73/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $0 | $0 |
| Sales Tax | $1,647 | $2,492 |
| Income Tax | $0 | $1,219 |
| Intergovernmental | $15,037 | $432 |
| Charges & Fees | $0 | $0 |
| Other | $1,399 | $6,520 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $7,399 | $5,632 |
| Public Welfare | $109 | $628 |
| Hospitals | $1,499 | $775 |
| Parks & Recreation | $1,783 | $4,107 |
| Housing | $6,840 | $5,645 |
| Sewerage | $699 | $585 |
| Utilities | $1,295 | $1,262 |
| Other | $8,572 | $12,489 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.