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

Milwaukee, WI vs Waukesha, WI

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

Summary

Waukesha spends 49.3% more per capita than Milwaukee ($18,898/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
Waukesha, WI
Pop. 70,945
C
53/100
Budget Balance13
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Milwaukee
Waukesha
Total Spending
$11.1B
$2.7B
Spending / Capita
$19,417
$38,315
Total Revenue
$6.3B
$851.5M
Revenue / Capita
$11,027
$12,002
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
573,299
70,945
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Milwaukee$3,642
Waukesha$2,927
Fire Protection
Milwaukee$802
Waukesha$856
Highways & Roads
Milwaukee$23
Waukesha$1,204
Parks & Recreation
Milwaukee$2,206
Waukesha$1,677
Health
Milwaukee$1
Waukesha$523

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MilwaukeeWaukesha
Property Tax
$0
$1
Sales Tax
$6,548
$891
Income Tax
$1
$0
Intergovernmental
$1,231
$3,249
Other
$3,984
$2,389

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

MilwaukeeWaukesha
Police
$3,642
$2,927
Fire Protection
$802
$856
Highways & Roads
$23
$1,204
Public Welfare
$180
$1,186
Health
$1
$523
Parks & Recreation
$2,206
$1,677
Housing
$1,071
$4,755
Utilities
$1,866
$6,106
Interest on Debt
$1,608
$88
Other
$8,018
$18,994
C
Milwaukee, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 62/100
Average fiscal health
C
Waukesha, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 53/100
Average fiscal health

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