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

Milwaukee, WI vs Madison, WI

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

Summary

Madison spends 11.2% more per capita than Milwaukee ($2,442/person difference). Madison, WI has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 87/100).

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
Madison, WI
Pop. 268,516
A
87/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency80
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Milwaukee
Madison
Total Spending
$11.1B
$5.9B
Spending / Capita
$19,417
$21,859
Total Revenue
$6.3B
$11.3B
Revenue / Capita
$11,027
$41,927
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
573,299
268,516
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Milwaukee$3,642
Madison$0
Fire Protection
Milwaukee$802
Madison$264
Highways & Roads
Milwaukee$23
Madison$47
Parks & Recreation
Milwaukee$2,206
Madison$1,572
Education
Milwaukee$0
Madison$0
Health
Milwaukee$1
Madison$744

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MilwaukeeMadison
Property Tax
$0
$770
Sales Tax
$6,548
$1,178
Income Tax
$1
$32
Intergovernmental
$1,231
$7,913
Charges & Fees
$0
$1,755
Other
$3,984
$2,381

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

MilwaukeeMadison
Police
$3,642
$0
Fire Protection
$802
$264
Highways & Roads
$23
$47
Education
$0
$0
Public Welfare
$180
$1,769
Health
$1
$744
Hospitals
$0
$1,664
Parks & Recreation
$2,206
$1,572
Housing
$1,071
$3,100
Sewerage
$0
$166
Utilities
$1,866
$3,406
Interest on Debt
$1,608
$2,451
Other
$8,018
$6,676
C
Milwaukee, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 62/100
Average fiscal health
A
Madison, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 87/100
Excellent fiscal health

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