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

Springfield, MO vs Columbia, MO

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

Summary

Springfield spends 14.1% more per capita than Columbia ($1,946/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
Columbia, MO
Pop. 126,172
B
71/100
Budget Balance66
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency98
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Springfield
Columbia
Total Spending
$2.7B
$1.7B
Spending / Capita
$15,703
$13,757
Total Revenue
$6.2B
$3.0B
Revenue / Capita
$36,770
$23,577
Total Debt
$0
$22.0M
Debt / Capita
$0
$175
Population
168,873
126,172
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Springfield$68
Columbia$355
Highways & Roads
Springfield$487
Columbia$0
Parks & Recreation
Springfield$2,552
Columbia$1,099
Education
Springfield$1,123
Columbia$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

SpringfieldColumbia
Sales Tax
$827
$668
Income Tax
$822
$2,110
Intergovernmental
$1,035
$23,577
Charges & Fees
$3,451
$2,293
Other
$4,051
$2,632

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

SpringfieldColumbia
Fire Protection
$68
$355
Highways & Roads
$487
$0
Education
$1,123
$0
Public Welfare
$932
$901
Hospitals
$311
$77
Parks & Recreation
$2,552
$1,099
Housing
$2,768
$1,692
Sewerage
$206
$0
Utilities
$2,850
$3,124
Interest on Debt
$805
$419
Other
$3,601
$6,091
A
Springfield, MO
Fiscal Health Score: 82/100
Excellent fiscal health
B
Columbia, MO
Fiscal Health Score: 71/100
Good fiscal health

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