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

Waterbury, CT vs Bristol, CT

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

Summary

Waterbury spends 23.2% more per capita than Bristol ($10,450/person difference). Waterbury, CT has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (D, 41/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Waterbury, CT
Pop. 114,480
D
41/100
Budget Balance2
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Bristol, CT
Pop. 61,052
D
40/100
Budget Balance0
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Waterbury
Bristol
Total Spending
$6.3B
$2.7B
Spending / Capita
$55,426
$44,977
Total Revenue
$4.8B
$1.2B
Revenue / Capita
$42,242
$20,060
Total Debt
$12.3M
$2.9M
Debt / Capita
$108
$47
Population
114,480
61,052
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Waterbury$2,439
Bristol$379
Highways & Roads
Waterbury$0
Bristol$219
Parks & Recreation
Waterbury$161
Bristol$777
Education
Waterbury$33,920
Bristol$30,607
Health
Waterbury$173
Bristol$413

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

WaterburyBristol
Sales Tax
$251
$89
Income Tax
$3
$67
Intergovernmental
$42,242
$20,060
Charges & Fees
$1,249
$1,528
Other
$2,485
$2,307

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

WaterburyBristol
Fire Protection
$2,439
$379
Highways & Roads
$0
$219
Education
$33,920
$30,607
Public Welfare
$1,768
$1,237
Health
$173
$413
Hospitals
$313
$270
Parks & Recreation
$161
$777
Housing
$3,627
$3,405
Sewerage
$74
$112
Utilities
$869
$2,175
Other
$12,083
$5,384
D
Waterbury, CT
Fiscal Health Score: 41/100
Below average fiscal health
D
Bristol, CT
Fiscal Health Score: 40/100
Below average fiscal health

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