New York, NY vs Bakersfield, CA
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
New York, NY outspends Bakersfield, CA by a wide margin per resident — $129,119 versus $11,576, a 1015% difference. A gap this size usually reflects a structurally different service mix or accounting scope rather than a single line item.
New York, NY holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 64/100 (grade C) against 56/100 (grade C) for Bakersfield, CA — a 8-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
Bakersfield, CA reports no outstanding debt per resident in its Census filing, while New York, NY carries $462 per resident. Their budgets diverge on where the largest per-resident dollars go: New York, NY leads with education at $37,892 per resident, while Bakersfield, CA leads with parks and recreation at $741.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 14% of total revenue in New York, NY and 100% in Bakersfield, CA.
Summary
New York spends 1015.4% more per capita than Bakersfield ($117,544/person difference). New York, NY has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 64/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $5 | $1 |
| Sales Tax | $399 | $20 |
| Income Tax | $19 | $1,909 |
| Intergovernmental | $20,520 | $3,862 |
| Charges & Fees | $1,835 | $1,024 |
| Other | $3,593 | $1,915 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Police | $1,512 | $0 |
| Fire Protection | $11,050 | $0 |
| Highways & Roads | $221 | $0 |
| Education | $37,892 | $0 |
| Public Welfare | $1,116 | $840 |
| Health | $417 | $0 |
| Hospitals | $6,467 | $425 |
| Parks & Recreation | $868 | $741 |
| Housing | $7,137 | $3,391 |
| Sewerage | $315 | $265 |
| Utilities | $13,371 | $2,679 |
| Interest on Debt | $11,706 | $0 |
| General Admin | $11,668 | $0 |
| Other | $25,380 | $3,234 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.