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

Milwaukee, WI vs Chicago, IL

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

Summary

Chicago spends 43.8% more per capita than Milwaukee ($15,134/person difference). Milwaukee, WI has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 62/100).

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
Chicago, IL
Pop. 2,721,914
C
61/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden61
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency22
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Milwaukee
Chicago
Total Spending
$11.1B
$94.0B
Spending / Capita
$19,417
$34,551
Total Revenue
$6.3B
$231.6B
Revenue / Capita
$11,027
$85,083
Total Debt
$0
$2.7B
Debt / Capita
$0
$977
Population
573,299
2,721,914
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Milwaukee$3,642
Chicago$0
Fire Protection
Milwaukee$802
Chicago$10,754
Highways & Roads
Milwaukee$23
Chicago$930
Parks & Recreation
Milwaukee$2,206
Chicago$122
Health
Milwaukee$1
Chicago$426

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MilwaukeeChicago
Property Tax
$0
$26
Sales Tax
$6,548
$74
Income Tax
$1
$229
Intergovernmental
$1,231
$85,083
Charges & Fees
$0
$2,847
Other
$3,984
$3,463

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

MilwaukeeChicago
Police
$3,642
$0
Fire Protection
$802
$10,754
Highways & Roads
$23
$930
Public Welfare
$180
$1,858
Health
$1
$426
Hospitals
$0
$1,444
Parks & Recreation
$2,206
$122
Housing
$1,071
$6,520
Sewerage
$0
$129
Utilities
$1,866
$2,983
Interest on Debt
$1,608
$0
Other
$8,018
$9,385
C
Milwaukee, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 62/100
Average fiscal health
C
Chicago, IL
Fiscal Health Score: 61/100
Average fiscal health

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