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

Springfield, MA vs New Bedford, MA

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

Summary

Springfield spends 33.3% more per capita than New Bedford ($16,411/person difference). New Bedford, MA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (D, 49/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Springfield, MA
Pop. 155,305
D
44/100
Budget Balance15
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
New Bedford, MA
Pop. 100,620
D
49/100
Budget Balance5
Debt Burden89
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Springfield
New Bedford
Total Spending
$10.2B
$5.0B
Spending / Capita
$65,626
$49,215
Total Revenue
$2.4B
$2.4B
Revenue / Capita
$15,275
$23,972
Total Debt
$0
$50.9M
Debt / Capita
$0
$506
Population
155,305
100,620
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Springfield$829
New Bedford$252
Highways & Roads
Springfield$308
New Bedford$886
Parks & Recreation
Springfield$673
New Bedford$315
Education
Springfield$47,090
New Bedford$31,923
Health
Springfield$453
New Bedford$255

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

SpringfieldNew Bedford
Sales Tax
$34
$123
Income Tax
$0
$5
Intergovernmental
$15,275
$7,480
Charges & Fees
$0
$1,982
Other
$770
$4,106

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

SpringfieldNew Bedford
Fire Protection
$829
$252
Highways & Roads
$308
$886
Education
$47,090
$31,923
Public Welfare
$640
$708
Health
$453
$255
Hospitals
$861
$610
Parks & Recreation
$673
$315
Housing
$3,784
$2,315
Sewerage
$282
$99
Utilities
$200
$887
Other
$10,507
$10,966
D
Springfield, MA
Fiscal Health Score: 44/100
Below average fiscal health
D
New Bedford, MA
Fiscal Health Score: 49/100
Below average fiscal health

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