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

New Britain, CT vs Norwalk, CT

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

Reviewed by CitySpend Editorial Team · Updated

Norwalk, CT and New Britain, CT spend within 10.0% of each other per resident — $52,486 versus $47,715 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.

Norwalk, CT holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 61/100 (grade C) against 44/100 (grade D) for New Britain, CT — a 17-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.

Neither city reports outstanding debt per resident in its current Census filing, which removes debt service as a point of difference between them. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: education leads in New Britain, CT at $32,605 per resident and in Norwalk, CT at $34,497.

On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 100% of total revenue in New Britain, CT and 23% in Norwalk, CT.

Summary

Norwalk spends 9.1% more per capita than New Britain ($4,771/person difference). Norwalk, CT has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 61/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
New Britain, CT
Pop. 74,212
D
44/100
Budget Balance17
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Norwalk, CT
Pop. 91,050
C
61/100
Budget Balance45
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
New Britain
Norwalk
Total Spending
$3.5B
$4.8B
Spending / Capita
$47,715
$52,486
Total Revenue
$3.2B
$3.5B
Revenue / Capita
$43,590
$38,437
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
74,212
91,050
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
New Britain$595
Norwalk$2,529
Highways & Roads
New Britain$410
Norwalk$0
Parks & Recreation
New Britain$1,240
Norwalk$510
Education
New Britain$32,605
Norwalk$34,497
Health
New Britain$469
Norwalk$381

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

New BritainNorwalk
Sales Tax
$0
$723
Intergovernmental
$43,590
$9,012
Charges & Fees
$1,634
$0
Other
$3,148
$4,487

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

New BritainNorwalk
Fire Protection
$595
$2,529
Highways & Roads
$410
$0
Education
$32,605
$34,497
Public Welfare
$0
$2,362
Health
$469
$381
Hospitals
$0
$97
Parks & Recreation
$1,240
$510
Housing
$6,454
$2,693
Sewerage
$94
$123
Utilities
$2,197
$66
Other
$3,650
$9,227
D
New Britain, CT
Fiscal Health Score: 44/100
Below average fiscal health
C
Norwalk, CT
Fiscal Health Score: 61/100
Average fiscal health

Compare More Cities

Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.