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

Topeka, KS vs Lawrence, KS

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

Summary

Lawrence spends 71.5% more per capita than Topeka ($36,136/person difference). Topeka, KS has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 87/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Topeka, KS
Pop. 126,431
A
87/100
Budget Balance90
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency94
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Lawrence, KS
Pop. 95,103
D
40/100
Budget Balance38
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Topeka
Lawrence
Total Spending
$1.8B
$4.8B
Spending / Capita
$14,435
$50,571
Total Revenue
$4.7B
$4.0B
Revenue / Capita
$37,151
$41,962
Total Debt
$3.8M
$141.4M
Debt / Capita
$30
$1,487
Population
126,431
95,103
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Topeka$190
Lawrence$701
Highways & Roads
Topeka$353
Lawrence$152
Parks & Recreation
Topeka$55
Lawrence$1,334
Education
Topeka$0
Lawrence$50
Health
Topeka$0
Lawrence$528

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

TopekaLawrence
Property Tax
$823
$0
Sales Tax
$182
$452
Income Tax
$0
$1,646
Intergovernmental
$3,030
$610
Charges & Fees
$6,883
$2,976
Other
$4,080
$5,396

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

TopekaLawrence
Fire Protection
$190
$701
Highways & Roads
$353
$152
Education
$0
$50
Public Welfare
$3,253
$1,409
Health
$0
$528
Hospitals
$0
$201
Parks & Recreation
$55
$1,334
Housing
$3,032
$2,611
Utilities
$3,548
$3,966
Interest on Debt
$663
$301
General Admin
$0
$32,300
Other
$3,342
$7,016
A
Topeka, KS
Fiscal Health Score: 87/100
Excellent fiscal health
D
Lawrence, KS
Fiscal Health Score: 40/100
Below average fiscal health

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