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

Milwaukee, WI vs Columbus, OH

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

Summary

Milwaukee spends 3.0% more per capita than Columbus ($559/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
Columbus, OH
Pop. 902,449
C
52/100
Budget Balance32
Debt Burden46
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency94
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Milwaukee
Columbus
Total Spending
$11.1B
$17.0B
Spending / Capita
$19,417
$18,858
Total Revenue
$6.3B
$0
Revenue / Capita
$11,027
$0
Total Debt
$0
$1.0B
Debt / Capita
$0
$1,145
Population
573,299
902,449
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Milwaukee$3,642
Columbus$0
Fire Protection
Milwaukee$802
Columbus$1,016
Highways & Roads
Milwaukee$23
Columbus$224
Parks & Recreation
Milwaukee$2,206
Columbus$2,168
Health
Milwaukee$1
Columbus$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MilwaukeeColumbus
Property Tax
$0
$10
Sales Tax
$6,548
$234
Income Tax
$1
$1
Intergovernmental
$1,231
$0
Charges & Fees
$0
$2,389
Other
$3,984
$5,248

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

MilwaukeeColumbus
Police
$3,642
$0
Fire Protection
$802
$1,016
Highways & Roads
$23
$224
Public Welfare
$180
$878
Health
$1
$0
Hospitals
$0
$953
Parks & Recreation
$2,206
$2,168
Housing
$1,071
$4,303
Sewerage
$0
$1
Utilities
$1,866
$1,719
Interest on Debt
$1,608
$0
Other
$8,018
$7,595
C
Milwaukee, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 62/100
Average fiscal health
C
Columbus, OH
Fiscal Health Score: 52/100
Average fiscal health

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