San Diego, CA vs Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance), KY
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
San Diego, CA outspends Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance), KY by a wide margin per resident — $43,306 versus $20,200, a 114% difference. A gap this size usually reflects a structurally different service mix or accounting scope rather than a single line item.
San Diego, CA holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 53/100 (grade C) against 35/100 (grade D) for Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance), KY — a 18-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
San Diego, CA reports no outstanding debt per resident in its Census filing, while Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance), KY carries $3,553 per resident. Their budgets diverge on where the largest per-resident dollars go: San Diego, CA leads with police at $3,335 per resident, while Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance), KY leads with fire protection at $1,132.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on other revenue — 39% of total revenue in San Diego, CA and 103% in Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance), KY.
Summary
San Diego spends 114.4% more per capita than Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance) ($23,106/person difference). San Diego, CA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 53/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $124 | $0 |
| Sales Tax | $63 | $1,138 |
| Income Tax | $194 | $24 |
| Intergovernmental | $57 | $412 |
| Charges & Fees | $14 | $3,823 |
| Other | $3,801 | $8,878 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Police | $3,335 | $701 |
| Fire Protection | $1,278 | $1,132 |
| Highways & Roads | $1,408 | $0 |
| Education | $2,005 | $956 |
| Public Welfare | $700 | $1,849 |
| Health | $411 | $379 |
| Hospitals | $0 | $779 |
| Parks & Recreation | $436 | $1,070 |
| Housing | $4,476 | $2,382 |
| Sewerage | $43 | $249 |
| Utilities | $11,704 | $3,844 |
| Interest on Debt | $0 | $1,517 |
| Other | $17,509 | $5,344 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.