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

Milwaukee, WI vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Summary

Philadelphia spends 65.5% more per capita than Milwaukee ($36,855/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
Philadelphia, PA
Pop. 1,593,208
D
45/100
Budget Balance17
Debt Burden53
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Milwaukee
Philadelphia
Total Spending
$11.1B
$89.7B
Spending / Capita
$19,417
$56,272
Total Revenue
$6.3B
$64.4B
Revenue / Capita
$11,027
$40,425
Total Debt
$0
$1.7B
Debt / Capita
$0
$1,069
Population
573,299
1,593,208
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Milwaukee$3,642
Philadelphia$1,505
Fire Protection
Milwaukee$802
Philadelphia$7,082
Highways & Roads
Milwaukee$23
Philadelphia$1,215
Parks & Recreation
Milwaukee$2,206
Philadelphia$593
Health
Milwaukee$1
Philadelphia$229

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MilwaukeePhiladelphia
Sales Tax
$6,548
$107
Income Tax
$1
$8
Intergovernmental
$1,231
$6,288
Charges & Fees
$0
$2,790
Other
$3,984
$4,029

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

MilwaukeePhiladelphia
Police
$3,642
$1,505
Fire Protection
$802
$7,082
Highways & Roads
$23
$1,215
Public Welfare
$180
$1,456
Health
$1
$229
Hospitals
$0
$4,048
Parks & Recreation
$2,206
$593
Housing
$1,071
$4,902
Sewerage
$0
$325
Utilities
$1,866
$4,222
Interest on Debt
$1,608
$3
Other
$8,018
$30,692
C
Milwaukee, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 62/100
Average fiscal health
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health

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