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

Springfield, MO vs Blue Springs, MO

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

Reviewed by CitySpend Editorial Team · Updated

Springfield, MO outspends Blue Springs, MO by a wide margin per resident — $15,703 versus $8,040, a 95% difference. A gap this size usually reflects a structurally different service mix or accounting scope rather than a single line item.

Springfield, MO edges Blue Springs, MO on the Fiscal Health Score by 2 points — 82/100 (grade A) to 80/100 (grade A). At a margin this narrow the grade is close enough that the factor-level detail matters more than the composite.

Springfield, MO reports no outstanding debt per resident in its Census filing, while Blue Springs, MO carries $40 per resident. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: parks and recreation leads in Springfield, MO at $2,552 per resident and in Blue Springs, MO at $1,041.

They also fund themselves differently: other revenue is the largest single revenue source in Springfield, MO at 11% of total revenue, whereas Blue Springs, MO relies most on intergovernmental transfers at 100%.

Summary

Springfield spends 95.3% more per capita than Blue Springs ($7,663/person difference). Springfield, MO has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 82/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Springfield, MO
Pop. 168,873
A
82/100
Budget Balance76
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency87
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Blue Springs, MO
Pop. 58,720
A
80/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Springfield
Blue Springs
Total Spending
$2.7B
$472.1M
Spending / Capita
$15,703
$8,040
Total Revenue
$6.2B
$997.5M
Revenue / Capita
$36,770
$16,987
Total Debt
$0
$2.3M
Debt / Capita
$0
$40
Population
168,873
58,720
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Springfield$68
Blue Springs$107
Highways & Roads
Springfield$487
Blue Springs$148
Parks & Recreation
Springfield$2,552
Blue Springs$1,041
Education
Springfield$1,123
Blue Springs$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

SpringfieldBlue Springs
Sales Tax
$827
$472
Income Tax
$822
$0
Intergovernmental
$1,035
$16,987
Charges & Fees
$3,451
$1,766
Other
$4,051
$2,377

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

SpringfieldBlue Springs
Fire Protection
$68
$107
Highways & Roads
$487
$148
Education
$1,123
$0
Public Welfare
$932
$740
Hospitals
$311
$160
Parks & Recreation
$2,552
$1,041
Housing
$2,768
$3,154
Sewerage
$206
$153
Utilities
$2,850
$1,593
Interest on Debt
$805
$0
Other
$3,601
$945
A
Springfield, MO
Fiscal Health Score: 82/100
Excellent fiscal health
A
Blue Springs, MO
Fiscal Health Score: 80/100
Excellent fiscal health

Compare More Cities

Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.