Orlando, FL vs Miami, FL
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Orlando, FL and Miami, FL spend within 10.4% of each other per resident — $31,123 versus $28,195 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Orlando, FL holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 73/100 (grade B) against 53/100 (grade C) for Miami, FL — a 20-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
Neither city reports outstanding debt per resident in its current Census filing, which removes debt service as a point of difference between them. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: fire protection leads in Orlando, FL at $5,632 per resident and in Miami, FL at $7,399.
They also fund themselves differently: other revenue is the largest single revenue source in Orlando, FL at 22% of total revenue, whereas Miami, FL relies most on intergovernmental transfers at 100%.
Summary
Orlando spends 10.4% more per capita than Miami ($2,928/person difference). Orlando, FL has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 73/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $0 | $0 |
| Sales Tax | $2,492 | $1,647 |
| Income Tax | $1,219 | $0 |
| Intergovernmental | $432 | $15,037 |
| Charges & Fees | $0 | $0 |
| Other | $6,520 | $1,399 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $5,632 | $7,399 |
| Public Welfare | $628 | $109 |
| Hospitals | $775 | $1,499 |
| Parks & Recreation | $4,107 | $1,783 |
| Housing | $5,645 | $6,840 |
| Sewerage | $585 | $699 |
| Utilities | $1,262 | $1,295 |
| Other | $12,489 | $8,572 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.