Miami, FL vs Tampa, FL
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Tampa, FL and Miami, FL spend within 8.8% of each other per resident — $30,690 versus $28,195 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Miami, FL holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 53/100 (grade C) against 33/100 (grade F) for Tampa, FL — a 20-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
Miami, FL reports no outstanding debt per resident in its Census filing, while Tampa, FL carries $2,378 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 Tampa, FL at $7,576.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 100% of total revenue in Miami, FL and 55% in Tampa, FL.
Summary
Tampa spends 8.1% more per capita than Miami ($2,495/person difference). Miami, FL has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 53/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $0 | $0 |
| Sales Tax | $1,647 | $1,180 |
| Income Tax | $0 | $2,437 |
| Intergovernmental | $15,037 | $13,224 |
| Charges & Fees | $0 | $3,962 |
| Other | $1,399 | $4,657 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $7,399 | $7,576 |
| Highways & Roads | $0 | $418 |
| Public Welfare | $109 | $1,507 |
| Hospitals | $1,499 | $703 |
| Parks & Recreation | $1,783 | $1,723 |
| Housing | $6,840 | $4,778 |
| Sewerage | $699 | $311 |
| Utilities | $1,295 | $4,695 |
| Interest on Debt | $0 | $89 |
| Other | $8,572 | $8,890 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.