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

Oakland, CA vs Houston, TX

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

Summary

Oakland spends 108.7% more per capita than Houston ($15,655/person difference). Houston, TX has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 83/100).

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
Houston, TX
Pop. 2,296,253
A
83/100
Budget Balance94
Debt Burden72
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Oakland
Houston
Total Spending
$13.2B
$33.1B
Spending / Capita
$30,055
$14,400
Total Revenue
$18.5B
$127.7B
Revenue / Capita
$42,277
$55,600
Total Debt
$0
$2.0B
Debt / Capita
$0
$863
Population
437,825
2,296,253
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Oakland$1
Houston$295
Highways & Roads
Oakland$0
Houston$175
Parks & Recreation
Oakland$955
Houston$361
Health
Oakland$1,016
Houston$210

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

OaklandHouston
Sales Tax
$522
$181
Income Tax
$0
$39
Intergovernmental
$42,277
$33
Charges & Fees
$0
$3,475
Other
$4,337
$3,960

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

OaklandHouston
Fire Protection
$1
$295
Highways & Roads
$0
$175
Public Welfare
$2,426
$533
Health
$1,016
$210
Hospitals
$2,498
$511
Parks & Recreation
$955
$361
Housing
$7,811
$4,288
Sewerage
$1,417
$386
Utilities
$0
$1,339
Other
$13,929
$6,301
B
Oakland, CA
Fiscal Health Score: 72/100
Good fiscal health
A
Houston, TX
Fiscal Health Score: 83/100
Excellent fiscal health

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