Springfield, MA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Boston, MA and Springfield, MA spend within 10.2% of each other per resident — $72,299 versus $65,626 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Boston, MA holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 56/100 (grade C) against 44/100 (grade D) for Springfield, MA — a 12-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
Springfield, MA reports no outstanding debt per resident in its Census filing, while Boston, MA carries $445 per resident. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: education leads in Springfield, MA at $47,090 per resident and in Boston, MA at $30,742.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 100% of total revenue in Springfield, MA and 17% in Boston, MA.
Summary
Boston spends 9.2% more per capita than Springfield ($6,672/person difference). Boston, MA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 56/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Sales Tax | $34 | $78 |
| Intergovernmental | $15,275 | $5,357 |
| Charges & Fees | $0 | $2,784 |
| Other | $770 | $4,557 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $829 | $1,107 |
| Highways & Roads | $308 | $594 |
| Education | $47,090 | $30,742 |
| Public Welfare | $640 | $1,110 |
| Health | $453 | $725 |
| Hospitals | $861 | $2,584 |
| Parks & Recreation | $673 | $711 |
| Housing | $3,784 | $6,614 |
| Sewerage | $282 | $355 |
| Utilities | $200 | $3,402 |
| General Admin | $0 | $5,401 |
| Other | $10,507 | $18,955 |
Compare More Cities
Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.