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

Washington, DC vs Denver, CO

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

Summary

Washington spends 624.6% more per capita than Denver ($209,759/person difference). Denver, CO has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 51/100).

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
Denver, CO
Pop. 710,800
C
51/100
Budget Balance68
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency26
Revenue Diversity99
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Washington
Denver
Total Spending
$163.2B
$23.9B
Spending / Capita
$243,341
$33,582
Total Revenue
$186.2B
$86.8B
Revenue / Capita
$277,701
$122,063
Total Debt
$1.7B
$3.6B
Debt / Capita
$2,516
$5,126
Population
670,587
710,800
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Washington$4,183
Denver$2,455
Fire Protection
Washington$4,262
Denver$1,668
Highways & Roads
Washington$1,435
Denver$475
Parks & Recreation
Washington$5,459
Denver$3,319
Education
Washington$53,224
Denver$821
Health
Washington$1,009
Denver$693

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

WashingtonDenver
Property Tax
$25
$0
Sales Tax
$991
$2,070
Income Tax
$141
$236
Intergovernmental
$18,754
$44,661
Charges & Fees
$4,070
$5,207
Other
$11,518
$10,100

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

WashingtonDenver
Police
$4,183
$2,455
Fire Protection
$4,262
$1,668
Highways & Roads
$1,435
$475
Education
$53,224
$821
Public Welfare
$2,498
$764
Health
$1,009
$693
Hospitals
$17,668
$2,855
Parks & Recreation
$5,459
$3,319
Housing
$10,296
$3,565
Sewerage
$2,881
$293
Utilities
$88,990
$4,292
Interest on Debt
$58
$7
General Admin
$3,225
$364
Other
$48,155
$12,011
D
Washington, DC
Fiscal Health Score: 41/100
Below average fiscal health
C
Denver, CO
Fiscal Health Score: 51/100
Average fiscal health

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