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

Milwaukee, WI vs Portland, OR

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

Summary

Portland spends 18.0% more per capita than Milwaukee ($4,258/person difference). Portland, OR has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 63/100).

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
Portland, OR
Pop. 646,101
C
63/100
Budget Balance83
Debt Burden7
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency72
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Milwaukee
Portland
Total Spending
$11.1B
$15.3B
Spending / Capita
$19,417
$23,675
Total Revenue
$6.3B
$31.0B
Revenue / Capita
$11,027
$47,970
Total Debt
$0
$1.0B
Debt / Capita
$0
$1,574
Population
573,299
646,101
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Milwaukee$3,642
Portland$0
Fire Protection
Milwaukee$802
Portland$1,700
Highways & Roads
Milwaukee$23
Portland$139
Parks & Recreation
Milwaukee$2,206
Portland$2,477
Health
Milwaukee$1
Portland$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MilwaukeePortland
Sales Tax
$6,548
$1,695
Income Tax
$1
$130
Intergovernmental
$1,231
$8,979
Charges & Fees
$0
$3,883
Other
$3,984
$7,916

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

MilwaukeePortland
Police
$3,642
$0
Fire Protection
$802
$1,700
Highways & Roads
$23
$139
Public Welfare
$180
$3,607
Health
$1
$0
Hospitals
$0
$2,893
Parks & Recreation
$2,206
$2,477
Housing
$1,071
$3,694
Sewerage
$0
$630
Utilities
$1,866
$1,845
Interest on Debt
$1,608
$0
Other
$8,018
$6,689
C
Milwaukee, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 62/100
Average fiscal health
C
Portland, OR
Fiscal Health Score: 63/100
Average fiscal health

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