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

Philadelphia, PA vs Milwaukee, WI

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

Summary

Philadelphia spends 189.8% more per capita than Milwaukee ($36,855/person difference). Milwaukee, WI has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 62/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Philadelphia, PA
Pop. 1,593,208
D
45/100
Budget Balance17
Debt Burden53
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Milwaukee, WI
Pop. 573,299
C
62/100
Budget Balance32
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency91
Revenue Diversity1
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Philadelphia
Milwaukee
Total Spending
$89.7B
$11.1B
Spending / Capita
$56,272
$19,417
Total Revenue
$64.4B
$6.3B
Revenue / Capita
$40,425
$11,027
Total Debt
$1.7B
$0
Debt / Capita
$1,069
$0
Population
1,593,208
573,299
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Philadelphia$1,505
Milwaukee$3,642
Fire Protection
Philadelphia$7,082
Milwaukee$802
Highways & Roads
Philadelphia$1,215
Milwaukee$23
Parks & Recreation
Philadelphia$593
Milwaukee$2,206
Health
Philadelphia$229
Milwaukee$1

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaMilwaukee
Sales Tax
$107
$6,548
Income Tax
$8
$1
Intergovernmental
$6,288
$1,231
Charges & Fees
$2,790
$0
Other
$4,029
$3,984

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaMilwaukee
Police
$1,505
$3,642
Fire Protection
$7,082
$802
Highways & Roads
$1,215
$23
Public Welfare
$1,456
$180
Health
$229
$1
Hospitals
$4,048
$0
Parks & Recreation
$593
$2,206
Housing
$4,902
$1,071
Sewerage
$325
$0
Utilities
$4,222
$1,866
Interest on Debt
$3
$1,608
Other
$30,692
$8,018
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health
C
Milwaukee, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 62/100
Average fiscal health

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