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

Oakland, CA vs Denver, CO

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

Summary

Denver spends 10.5% more per capita than Oakland ($3,528/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
Denver, CO
Pop. 710,800
C
51/100
Budget Balance68
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency26
Revenue Diversity99
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Oakland
Denver
Total Spending
$13.2B
$23.9B
Spending / Capita
$30,055
$33,582
Total Revenue
$18.5B
$86.8B
Revenue / Capita
$42,277
$122,063
Total Debt
$0
$3.6B
Debt / Capita
$0
$5,126
Population
437,825
710,800
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Oakland$0
Denver$2,455
Fire Protection
Oakland$1
Denver$1,668
Highways & Roads
Oakland$0
Denver$475
Parks & Recreation
Oakland$955
Denver$3,319
Education
Oakland$0
Denver$821
Health
Oakland$1,016
Denver$693

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

OaklandDenver
Sales Tax
$522
$2,070
Income Tax
$0
$236
Intergovernmental
$42,277
$44,661
Charges & Fees
$0
$5,207
Other
$4,337
$10,100

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

OaklandDenver
Police
$0
$2,455
Fire Protection
$1
$1,668
Highways & Roads
$0
$475
Education
$0
$821
Public Welfare
$2,426
$764
Health
$1,016
$693
Hospitals
$2,498
$2,855
Parks & Recreation
$955
$3,319
Housing
$7,811
$3,565
Sewerage
$1,417
$293
Utilities
$0
$4,292
Interest on Debt
$0
$7
General Admin
$0
$364
Other
$13,929
$12,011
B
Oakland, CA
Fiscal Health Score: 72/100
Good fiscal health
C
Denver, CO
Fiscal Health Score: 51/100
Average fiscal health

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