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

Washington, DC vs Milwaukee, WI

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

Summary

Washington spends 1153.2% more per capita than Milwaukee ($223,924/person difference). Milwaukee, WI has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 62/100).

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
Milwaukee, WI
Pop. 573,299
C
62/100
Budget Balance32
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency91
Revenue Diversity1
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Washington
Milwaukee
Total Spending
$163.2B
$11.1B
Spending / Capita
$243,341
$19,417
Total Revenue
$186.2B
$6.3B
Revenue / Capita
$277,701
$11,027
Total Debt
$1.7B
$0
Debt / Capita
$2,516
$0
Population
670,587
573,299
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Washington$4,183
Milwaukee$3,642
Fire Protection
Washington$4,262
Milwaukee$802
Highways & Roads
Washington$1,435
Milwaukee$23
Parks & Recreation
Washington$5,459
Milwaukee$2,206
Education
Washington$53,224
Milwaukee$0
Health
Washington$1,009
Milwaukee$1

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

WashingtonMilwaukee
Property Tax
$25
$0
Sales Tax
$991
$6,548
Income Tax
$141
$1
Intergovernmental
$18,754
$1,231
Charges & Fees
$4,070
$0
Other
$11,518
$3,984

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

WashingtonMilwaukee
Police
$4,183
$3,642
Fire Protection
$4,262
$802
Highways & Roads
$1,435
$23
Education
$53,224
$0
Public Welfare
$2,498
$180
Health
$1,009
$1
Hospitals
$17,668
$0
Parks & Recreation
$5,459
$2,206
Housing
$10,296
$1,071
Sewerage
$2,881
$0
Utilities
$88,990
$1,866
Interest on Debt
$58
$1,608
General Admin
$3,225
$0
Other
$48,155
$8,018
D
Washington, DC
Fiscal Health Score: 41/100
Below average fiscal health
C
Milwaukee, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 62/100
Average fiscal health

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