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

Washington, DC vs Sacramento, CA

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

Summary

Washington spends 242.6% more per capita than Sacramento ($172,320/person difference). Sacramento, CA 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
Sacramento, CA
Pop. 523,600
C
57/100
Budget Balance29
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Washington
Sacramento
Total Spending
$163.2B
$37.2B
Spending / Capita
$243,341
$71,020
Total Revenue
$186.2B
$33.3B
Revenue / Capita
$277,701
$63,682
Total Debt
$1.7B
$0
Debt / Capita
$2,516
$0
Population
670,587
523,600
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Washington$4,183
Sacramento$5,402
Fire Protection
Washington$4,262
Sacramento$2,466
Highways & Roads
Washington$1,435
Sacramento$0
Parks & Recreation
Washington$5,459
Sacramento$1,437
Education
Washington$53,224
Sacramento$2,684
Health
Washington$1,009
Sacramento$18

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

WashingtonSacramento
Property Tax
$25
$1,465
Sales Tax
$991
$378
Income Tax
$141
$3,104
Intergovernmental
$18,754
$3,400
Charges & Fees
$4,070
$3,239
Other
$11,518
$5,072

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

WashingtonSacramento
Police
$4,183
$5,402
Fire Protection
$4,262
$2,466
Highways & Roads
$1,435
$0
Education
$53,224
$2,684
Public Welfare
$2,498
$3,470
Health
$1,009
$18
Hospitals
$17,668
$0
Parks & Recreation
$5,459
$1,437
Housing
$10,296
$8,577
Sewerage
$2,881
$103
Utilities
$88,990
$19,920
Interest on Debt
$58
$162
General Admin
$3,225
$0
Other
$48,155
$26,782
D
Washington, DC
Fiscal Health Score: 41/100
Below average fiscal health
C
Sacramento, CA
Fiscal Health Score: 57/100
Average fiscal health

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