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

Washington, DC vs Dallas, TX

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

Summary

Washington spends 598.3% more per capita than Dallas ($208,492/person difference). Dallas, TX has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 57/100).

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
Dallas, TX
Pop. 1,300,642
C
57/100
Budget Balance16
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency21
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Washington
Dallas
Total Spending
$163.2B
$45.3B
Spending / Capita
$243,341
$34,849
Total Revenue
$186.2B
$7.1B
Revenue / Capita
$277,701
$5,474
Total Debt
$1.7B
$0
Debt / Capita
$2,516
$0
Population
670,587
1,300,642
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Washington$4,183
Dallas$1,519
Fire Protection
Washington$4,262
Dallas$305
Highways & Roads
Washington$1,435
Dallas$201
Parks & Recreation
Washington$5,459
Dallas$0
Education
Washington$53,224
Dallas$62
Health
Washington$1,009
Dallas$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

WashingtonDallas
Property Tax
$25
$9
Sales Tax
$991
$25
Income Tax
$141
$0
Intergovernmental
$18,754
$1,223
Charges & Fees
$4,070
$0
Other
$11,518
$584

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

WashingtonDallas
Police
$4,183
$1,519
Fire Protection
$4,262
$305
Highways & Roads
$1,435
$201
Education
$53,224
$62
Public Welfare
$2,498
$215
Health
$1,009
$0
Hospitals
$17,668
$385
Parks & Recreation
$5,459
$0
Housing
$10,296
$444
Sewerage
$2,881
$0
Utilities
$88,990
$833
Interest on Debt
$58
$0
General Admin
$3,225
$25,827
Other
$48,155
$5,059
D
Washington, DC
Fiscal Health Score: 41/100
Below average fiscal health
C
Dallas, TX
Fiscal Health Score: 57/100
Average fiscal health

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