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

Oakland, CA vs Chicago, IL

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

Summary

Chicago spends 13.0% more per capita than Oakland ($4,497/person difference). Oakland, CA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 72/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Oakland, CA
Pop. 437,825
B
72/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency43
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Chicago, IL
Pop. 2,721,914
C
61/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden61
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency22
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Oakland
Chicago
Total Spending
$13.2B
$94.0B
Spending / Capita
$30,055
$34,551
Total Revenue
$18.5B
$231.6B
Revenue / Capita
$42,277
$85,083
Total Debt
$0
$2.7B
Debt / Capita
$0
$977
Population
437,825
2,721,914
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Oakland$1
Chicago$10,754
Highways & Roads
Oakland$0
Chicago$930
Parks & Recreation
Oakland$955
Chicago$122
Health
Oakland$1,016
Chicago$426

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

OaklandChicago
Property Tax
$0
$26
Sales Tax
$522
$74
Income Tax
$0
$229
Intergovernmental
$42,277
$85,083
Charges & Fees
$0
$2,847
Other
$4,337
$3,463

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

OaklandChicago
Fire Protection
$1
$10,754
Highways & Roads
$0
$930
Public Welfare
$2,426
$1,858
Health
$1,016
$426
Hospitals
$2,498
$1,444
Parks & Recreation
$955
$122
Housing
$7,811
$6,520
Sewerage
$1,417
$129
Utilities
$0
$2,983
Other
$13,929
$9,385
B
Oakland, CA
Fiscal Health Score: 72/100
Good fiscal health
C
Chicago, IL
Fiscal Health Score: 61/100
Average fiscal health

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