Renton, WA vs Federal Way, WA
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Renton, WA outspends Federal Way, WA by a wide margin per resident — $16,868 versus $7,749, a 118% difference. A gap this size usually reflects a structurally different service mix or accounting scope rather than a single line item.
Renton, WA holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 75/100 (grade B) against 67/100 (grade B) for Federal Way, WA — a 8-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
Federal Way, WA reports no outstanding debt per resident in its Census filing, while Renton, WA carries $211 per resident. Their budgets diverge on where the largest per-resident dollars go: Renton, WA leads with police at $2,978 per resident, while Federal Way, WA leads with parks and recreation at $840.
They also fund themselves differently: other revenue is the largest single revenue source in Renton, WA at 20% of total revenue, whereas Federal Way, WA relies most on intergovernmental transfers at 43%.
Summary
Renton spends 117.7% more per capita than Federal Way ($9,120/person difference). Renton, WA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 75/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $31 | $122 |
| Sales Tax | $377 | $220 |
| Income Tax | $2,146 | $59 |
| Intergovernmental | $792 | $1,441 |
| Charges & Fees | $1,771 | $0 |
| Other | $4,728 | $1,369 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Police | $2,978 | $288 |
| Fire Protection | $753 | $205 |
| Highways & Roads | $90 | $0 |
| Public Welfare | $1,270 | $1,037 |
| Hospitals | $496 | $214 |
| Parks & Recreation | $1,288 | $840 |
| Housing | $3,801 | $2,945 |
| Sewerage | $39 | $0 |
| Utilities | $3,428 | $117 |
| Other | $2,725 | $2,103 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.