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

Milwaukee, WI vs Indianapolis city (balance), IN

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

Summary

Indianapolis city (balance) spends 57.8% more per capita than Milwaukee ($26,628/person difference). Indianapolis city (balance), IN has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 74/100).

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
B
74/100
Budget Balance98
Debt Burden98
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Milwaukee
Indianapolis city (balance)
Total Spending
$11.1B
$40.6B
Spending / Capita
$19,417
$46,045
Total Revenue
$6.3B
$66.0B
Revenue / Capita
$11,027
$74,799
Total Debt
$0
$509.0M
Debt / Capita
$0
$577
Population
573,299
882,006
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Milwaukee$3,642
Indianapolis city (balance)$2,032
Fire Protection
Milwaukee$802
Indianapolis city (balance)$397
Highways & Roads
Milwaukee$23
Indianapolis city (balance)$0
Parks & Recreation
Milwaukee$2,206
Indianapolis city (balance)$798
Health
Milwaukee$1
Indianapolis city (balance)$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MilwaukeeIndianapolis city (balance)
Property Tax
$0
$20
Sales Tax
$6,548
$178
Income Tax
$1
$136
Intergovernmental
$1,231
$1,312
Charges & Fees
$0
$2,813
Other
$3,984
$4,675

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

MilwaukeeIndianapolis city (balance)
Police
$3,642
$2,032
Fire Protection
$802
$397
Highways & Roads
$23
$0
Public Welfare
$180
$1,469
Health
$1
$0
Hospitals
$0
$2,453
Parks & Recreation
$2,206
$798
Housing
$1,071
$2,664
Sewerage
$0
$248
Utilities
$1,866
$2,227
Interest on Debt
$1,608
$1,381
General Admin
$0
$23,227
Other
$8,018
$9,149
C
Milwaukee, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 62/100
Average fiscal health
B
Indianapolis city (balance), IN
Fiscal Health Score: 74/100
Good fiscal health

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