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

Savannah, GA vs Columbus, GA

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

Summary

Savannah spends 56.4% more per capita than Columbus ($8,759/person difference). Columbus, GA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 82/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Savannah, GA
Pop. 147,583
C
57/100
Budget Balance4
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency36
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Columbus, GA
Pop. 204,572
A
82/100
Budget Balance76
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency88
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Savannah
Columbus
Total Spending
$3.6B
$3.2B
Spending / Capita
$24,281
$15,522
Total Revenue
$2.8B
$4.4B
Revenue / Capita
$18,788
$21,716
Total Debt
$1.3M
$7.6M
Debt / Capita
$9
$37
Population
147,583
204,572
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Savannah$0
Columbus$1,611
Fire Protection
Savannah$408
Columbus$699
Highways & Roads
Savannah$402
Columbus$443
Parks & Recreation
Savannah$1,980
Columbus$669
Education
Savannah$157
Columbus$21

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

SavannahColumbus
Property Tax
$18
$64
Sales Tax
$1,601
$315
Income Tax
$2,611
$688
Intergovernmental
$413
$792
Charges & Fees
$1,501
$2,259
Other
$5,349
$3,202

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

SavannahColumbus
Police
$0
$1,611
Fire Protection
$408
$699
Highways & Roads
$402
$443
Education
$157
$21
Public Welfare
$3,035
$1,247
Hospitals
$0
$170
Parks & Recreation
$1,980
$669
Housing
$4,362
$2,701
Sewerage
$266
$66
Utilities
$5,827
$1,989
Other
$7,844
$5,907
C
Savannah, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 57/100
Average fiscal health
A
Columbus, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 82/100
Excellent fiscal health

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