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

Washington, DC vs Austin, TX

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

Summary

Washington spends 1017.7% more per capita than Austin ($221,569/person difference). Austin, TX has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 75/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Washington, DC
Pop. 670,587
D
41/100
Budget Balance45
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Austin, TX
Pop. 958,202
B
75/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden38
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency80
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Washington
Austin
Total Spending
$163.2B
$20.9B
Spending / Capita
$243,341
$21,772
Total Revenue
$186.2B
$74.4B
Revenue / Capita
$277,701
$77,600
Total Debt
$1.7B
$1.2B
Debt / Capita
$2,516
$1,229
Population
670,587
958,202
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Washington$4,183
Austin$0
Fire Protection
Washington$4,262
Austin$634
Highways & Roads
Washington$1,435
Austin$0
Parks & Recreation
Washington$5,459
Austin$1,801
Education
Washington$53,224
Austin$51
Health
Washington$1,009
Austin$517

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

WashingtonAustin
Property Tax
$25
$0
Sales Tax
$991
$526
Income Tax
$141
$1,465
Intergovernmental
$18,754
$14,031
Charges & Fees
$4,070
$3,247
Other
$11,518
$5,645

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

WashingtonAustin
Police
$4,183
$0
Fire Protection
$4,262
$634
Highways & Roads
$1,435
$0
Education
$53,224
$51
Public Welfare
$2,498
$1,837
Health
$1,009
$517
Hospitals
$17,668
$664
Parks & Recreation
$5,459
$1,801
Housing
$10,296
$3,741
Sewerage
$2,881
$865
Utilities
$88,990
$3,264
Interest on Debt
$58
$0
General Admin
$3,225
$0
Other
$48,155
$8,399
D
Washington, DC
Fiscal Health Score: 41/100
Below average fiscal health
B
Austin, TX
Fiscal Health Score: 75/100
Good fiscal health

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