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

Washington, DC vs New York, NY

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

Summary

Washington spends 88.5% more per capita than New York ($114,221/person difference). New York, NY has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 64/100).

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
New York, NY
Pop. 8,622,467
C
64/100
Budget Balance55
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Washington
New York
Total Spending
$163.2B
$1113.3B
Spending / Capita
$243,341
$129,119
Total Revenue
$186.2B
$1271.6B
Revenue / Capita
$277,701
$147,477
Total Debt
$1.7B
$4.0B
Debt / Capita
$2,516
$462
Population
670,587
8,622,467
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Washington$4,183
New York$1,512
Fire Protection
Washington$4,262
New York$11,050
Highways & Roads
Washington$1,435
New York$221
Parks & Recreation
Washington$5,459
New York$868
Education
Washington$53,224
New York$37,892
Health
Washington$1,009
New York$417

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

WashingtonNew York
Property Tax
$25
$5
Sales Tax
$991
$399
Income Tax
$141
$19
Intergovernmental
$18,754
$20,520
Charges & Fees
$4,070
$1,835
Other
$11,518
$3,593

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

WashingtonNew York
Police
$4,183
$1,512
Fire Protection
$4,262
$11,050
Highways & Roads
$1,435
$221
Education
$53,224
$37,892
Public Welfare
$2,498
$1,116
Health
$1,009
$417
Hospitals
$17,668
$6,467
Parks & Recreation
$5,459
$868
Housing
$10,296
$7,137
Sewerage
$2,881
$315
Utilities
$88,990
$13,371
Interest on Debt
$58
$11,706
General Admin
$3,225
$11,668
Other
$48,155
$25,380
D
Washington, DC
Fiscal Health Score: 41/100
Below average fiscal health
C
New York, NY
Fiscal Health Score: 64/100
Average fiscal health

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