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

Milwaukee, WI vs Washington, DC

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

Summary

Washington spends 92.0% more per capita than Milwaukee ($223,924/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
Washington, DC
Pop. 670,587
D
41/100
Budget Balance45
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Milwaukee
Washington
Total Spending
$11.1B
$163.2B
Spending / Capita
$19,417
$243,341
Total Revenue
$6.3B
$186.2B
Revenue / Capita
$11,027
$277,701
Total Debt
$0
$1.7B
Debt / Capita
$0
$2,516
Population
573,299
670,587
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Milwaukee$3,642
Washington$4,183
Fire Protection
Milwaukee$802
Washington$4,262
Highways & Roads
Milwaukee$23
Washington$1,435
Parks & Recreation
Milwaukee$2,206
Washington$5,459
Education
Milwaukee$0
Washington$53,224
Health
Milwaukee$1
Washington$1,009

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MilwaukeeWashington
Property Tax
$0
$25
Sales Tax
$6,548
$991
Income Tax
$1
$141
Intergovernmental
$1,231
$18,754
Charges & Fees
$0
$4,070
Other
$3,984
$11,518

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

MilwaukeeWashington
Police
$3,642
$4,183
Fire Protection
$802
$4,262
Highways & Roads
$23
$1,435
Education
$0
$53,224
Public Welfare
$180
$2,498
Health
$1
$1,009
Hospitals
$0
$17,668
Parks & Recreation
$2,206
$5,459
Housing
$1,071
$10,296
Sewerage
$0
$2,881
Utilities
$1,866
$88,990
Interest on Debt
$1,608
$58
General Admin
$0
$3,225
Other
$8,018
$48,155
C
Milwaukee, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 62/100
Average fiscal health
D
Washington, DC
Fiscal Health Score: 41/100
Below average fiscal health

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