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

Oakland, CA vs Detroit, MI

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

Summary

Detroit spends 3.3% more per capita than Oakland ($1,033/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
Detroit, MI
Pop. 636,787
B
69/100
Budget Balance70
Debt Burden79
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency38
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Oakland
Detroit
Total Spending
$13.2B
$19.8B
Spending / Capita
$30,055
$31,087
Total Revenue
$18.5B
$28.4B
Revenue / Capita
$42,277
$44,533
Total Debt
$0
$493.9M
Debt / Capita
$0
$776
Population
437,825
636,787
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Oakland$1
Detroit$2,429
Parks & Recreation
Oakland$955
Detroit$950
Health
Oakland$1,016
Detroit$396

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

OaklandDetroit
Property Tax
$0
$44
Sales Tax
$522
$200
Income Tax
$0
$1,045
Intergovernmental
$42,277
$291
Charges & Fees
$0
$2,228
Other
$4,337
$6,892

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

OaklandDetroit
Fire Protection
$1
$2,429
Public Welfare
$2,426
$833
Health
$1,016
$396
Hospitals
$2,498
$2,217
Parks & Recreation
$955
$950
Housing
$7,811
$5,791
Sewerage
$1,417
$451
Utilities
$0
$2,737
Interest on Debt
$0
$2,068
Other
$13,929
$13,216
B
Oakland, CA
Fiscal Health Score: 72/100
Good fiscal health
B
Detroit, MI
Fiscal Health Score: 69/100
Good fiscal health

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