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

Milwaukee, WI vs Charlotte, NC

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

Summary

Milwaukee spends 22.5% more per capita than Charlotte ($3,564/person difference). Charlotte, NC has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 63/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Milwaukee, WI
Pop. 573,299
C
62/100
Budget Balance32
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency91
Revenue Diversity1
Trend Direction50
City B
Charlotte, NC
Pop. 875,045
C
63/100
Budget Balance71
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Milwaukee
Charlotte
Total Spending
$11.1B
$13.9B
Spending / Capita
$19,417
$15,854
Total Revenue
$6.3B
$43.5B
Revenue / Capita
$11,027
$49,746
Total Debt
$0
$2.4B
Debt / Capita
$0
$2,690
Population
573,299
875,045
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Milwaukee$3,642
Charlotte$0
Fire Protection
Milwaukee$802
Charlotte$463
Highways & Roads
Milwaukee$23
Charlotte$41
Parks & Recreation
Milwaukee$2,206
Charlotte$1,571
Health
Milwaukee$1
Charlotte$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MilwaukeeCharlotte
Sales Tax
$6,548
$541
Income Tax
$1
$366
Intergovernmental
$1,231
$1,859
Charges & Fees
$0
$2,459
Other
$3,984
$4,866

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

MilwaukeeCharlotte
Police
$3,642
$0
Fire Protection
$802
$463
Highways & Roads
$23
$41
Public Welfare
$180
$672
Health
$1
$0
Hospitals
$0
$1,243
Parks & Recreation
$2,206
$1,571
Housing
$1,071
$3,944
Utilities
$1,866
$2,244
Interest on Debt
$1,608
$2,226
Other
$8,018
$3,448
C
Milwaukee, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 62/100
Average fiscal health
C
Charlotte, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 63/100
Average fiscal health

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