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

Milwaukee, WI vs San Diego, CA

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

Summary

San Diego spends 55.2% more per capita than Milwaukee ($23,889/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
San Diego, CA
Pop. 1,383,987
C
53/100
Budget Balance14
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity96
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Milwaukee
San Diego
Total Spending
$11.1B
$59.9B
Spending / Capita
$19,417
$43,306
Total Revenue
$6.3B
$13.4B
Revenue / Capita
$11,027
$9,662
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
573,299
1,383,987
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Milwaukee$3,642
San Diego$3,335
Fire Protection
Milwaukee$802
San Diego$1,278
Highways & Roads
Milwaukee$23
San Diego$1,408
Parks & Recreation
Milwaukee$2,206
San Diego$436
Education
Milwaukee$0
San Diego$2,005
Health
Milwaukee$1
San Diego$411

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MilwaukeeSan Diego
Property Tax
$0
$124
Sales Tax
$6,548
$63
Income Tax
$1
$194
Intergovernmental
$1,231
$57
Charges & Fees
$0
$14
Other
$3,984
$3,801

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

MilwaukeeSan Diego
Police
$3,642
$3,335
Fire Protection
$802
$1,278
Highways & Roads
$23
$1,408
Education
$0
$2,005
Public Welfare
$180
$700
Health
$1
$411
Parks & Recreation
$2,206
$436
Housing
$1,071
$4,476
Sewerage
$0
$43
Utilities
$1,866
$11,704
Interest on Debt
$1,608
$0
Other
$8,018
$17,509
C
Milwaukee, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 62/100
Average fiscal health
C
San Diego, CA
Fiscal Health Score: 53/100
Average fiscal health

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