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

Sacramento, CA vs Boston, MA

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

Summary

Boston spends 1.8% more per capita than Sacramento ($1,278/person difference). Sacramento, CA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 57/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Sacramento, CA
Pop. 523,600
C
57/100
Budget Balance29
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Boston, MA
Pop. 665,945
C
56/100
Budget Balance25
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Sacramento
Boston
Total Spending
$37.2B
$48.1B
Spending / Capita
$71,020
$72,299
Total Revenue
$33.3B
$20.8B
Revenue / Capita
$63,682
$31,243
Total Debt
$0
$296.3M
Debt / Capita
$0
$445
Population
523,600
665,945
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Sacramento$5,402
Boston$0
Fire Protection
Sacramento$2,466
Boston$1,107
Highways & Roads
Sacramento$0
Boston$594
Parks & Recreation
Sacramento$1,437
Boston$711
Education
Sacramento$2,684
Boston$30,742
Health
Sacramento$18
Boston$725

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

SacramentoBoston
Property Tax
$1,465
$0
Sales Tax
$378
$78
Income Tax
$3,104
$0
Intergovernmental
$3,400
$5,357
Charges & Fees
$3,239
$2,784
Other
$5,072
$4,557

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

SacramentoBoston
Police
$5,402
$0
Fire Protection
$2,466
$1,107
Highways & Roads
$0
$594
Education
$2,684
$30,742
Public Welfare
$3,470
$1,110
Health
$18
$725
Hospitals
$0
$2,584
Parks & Recreation
$1,437
$711
Housing
$8,577
$6,614
Sewerage
$103
$355
Utilities
$19,920
$3,402
Interest on Debt
$162
$0
General Admin
$0
$5,401
Other
$26,782
$18,955
C
Sacramento, CA
Fiscal Health Score: 57/100
Average fiscal health
C
Boston, MA
Fiscal Health Score: 56/100
Average fiscal health

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