Minneapolis, MN vs Mesa, AZ
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Minneapolis, MN outspends Mesa, AZ by a wide margin per resident — $21,910 versus $12,768, a 72% difference. A gap this size usually reflects a structurally different service mix or accounting scope rather than a single line item.
Mesa, AZ holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 90/100 (grade A) against 65/100 (grade B) for Minneapolis, MN — a 25-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, Mesa, AZ carries the lighter load at $469 per resident versus $644 for Minneapolis, MN. 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 Mesa, AZ at $953.
They also fund themselves differently: other revenue is the largest single revenue source in Minneapolis, MN at 17% of total revenue, whereas Mesa, AZ relies most on charges and fees at 9%.
Summary
Minneapolis spends 71.6% more per capita than Mesa ($9,142/person difference). Mesa, AZ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 90/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $0 | $47 |
| Sales Tax | $1,989 | $463 |
| Income Tax | $994 | $1,376 |
| Intergovernmental | $2,929 | $1,383 |
| Charges & Fees | $2,040 | $3,334 |
| Other | $3,254 | $2,253 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $683 | $422 |
| Highways & Roads | $221 | $192 |
| Public Welfare | $1,500 | $829 |
| Health | $0 | $147 |
| Hospitals | $0 | $537 |
| Parks & Recreation | $3,486 | $953 |
| Housing | $4,133 | $4,190 |
| Sewerage | $570 | $38 |
| Utilities | $2,398 | $2,376 |
| Other | $8,919 | $3,082 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.