San Jose, CA vs Columbus, OH
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Columbus, OH and San Jose, CA spend within 5.2% of each other per resident — $18,858 versus $17,934 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
San Jose, CA holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 90/100 (grade A) against 52/100 (grade C) for Columbus, OH — a 38-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
San Jose, CA reports no outstanding debt per resident in its Census filing, while Columbus, OH carries $1,145 per resident. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: parks and recreation leads in San Jose, CA at $1,424 per resident and in Columbus, OH at $2,168.
Summary
Columbus spends 4.9% more per capita than San Jose ($924/person difference). San Jose, CA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 90/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $40 | $10 |
| Sales Tax | $315 | $234 |
| Income Tax | $1,935 | $1 |
| Intergovernmental | $2,680 | $0 |
| Charges & Fees | $608 | $2,389 |
| Other | $3,519 | $5,248 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $0 | $1,016 |
| Highways & Roads | $0 | $224 |
| Public Welfare | $810 | $878 |
| Health | $609 | $0 |
| Hospitals | $1,254 | $953 |
| Parks & Recreation | $1,424 | $2,168 |
| Housing | $4,897 | $4,303 |
| Sewerage | $161 | $1 |
| Utilities | $2,533 | $1,719 |
| Other | $6,247 | $7,595 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.