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

Topeka, KS vs Wichita, KS

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

Summary

Topeka spends 80.8% more per capita than Wichita ($6,449/person difference). Wichita, KS has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 90/100).

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
Wichita, KS
Pop. 395,951
A
90/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Topeka
Wichita
Total Spending
$1.8B
$3.2B
Spending / Capita
$14,435
$7,986
Total Revenue
$4.7B
$10.7B
Revenue / Capita
$37,151
$27,057
Total Debt
$3.8M
$52.2M
Debt / Capita
$30
$132
Population
126,431
395,951
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Topeka$190
Wichita$152
Highways & Roads
Topeka$353
Wichita$126
Parks & Recreation
Topeka$55
Wichita$874
Education
Topeka$0
Wichita$2
Health
Topeka$0
Wichita$254

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

TopekaWichita
Property Tax
$823
$0
Sales Tax
$182
$246
Income Tax
$0
$57
Intergovernmental
$3,030
$3,895
Charges & Fees
$6,883
$3,193
Other
$4,080
$2,783

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

TopekaWichita
Fire Protection
$190
$152
Highways & Roads
$353
$126
Education
$0
$2
Public Welfare
$3,253
$441
Health
$0
$254
Hospitals
$0
$113
Parks & Recreation
$55
$874
Housing
$3,032
$2,618
Utilities
$3,548
$1,225
Interest on Debt
$663
$70
Other
$3,342
$2,111
A
Topeka, KS
Fiscal Health Score: 87/100
Excellent fiscal health
A
Wichita, KS
Fiscal Health Score: 90/100
Excellent fiscal health

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