Minneapolis, MN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Minneapolis, MN and Austin, TX spend within 0.6% of each other per resident — $21,910 versus $21,772 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Austin, TX holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 75/100 (grade B) against 65/100 (grade B) for Minneapolis, MN — a 10-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, Minneapolis, MN carries the lighter load at $644 per resident versus $1,229 for Austin, TX. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: parks and recreation leads in Minneapolis, MN at $3,486 per resident and in Austin, TX at $1,801.
They also fund themselves differently: other revenue is the largest single revenue source in Minneapolis, MN at 17% of total revenue, whereas Austin, TX relies most on intergovernmental transfers at 18%.
Summary
Minneapolis spends 0.6% more per capita than Austin ($138/person difference). Austin, TX has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 75/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Sales Tax | $1,989 | $526 |
| Income Tax | $994 | $1,465 |
| Intergovernmental | $2,929 | $14,031 |
| Charges & Fees | $2,040 | $3,247 |
| Other | $3,254 | $5,645 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $683 | $634 |
| Highways & Roads | $221 | $0 |
| Education | $0 | $51 |
| Public Welfare | $1,500 | $1,837 |
| Health | $0 | $517 |
| Hospitals | $0 | $664 |
| Parks & Recreation | $3,486 | $1,801 |
| Housing | $4,133 | $3,741 |
| Sewerage | $570 | $865 |
| Utilities | $2,398 | $3,264 |
| Other | $8,919 | $8,399 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.