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

Waterbury, CT vs Hartford, CT

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

Summary

Hartford spends 27.7% more per capita than Waterbury ($21,234/person difference). Hartford, CT has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 58/100).

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
Hartford, CT
Pop. 121,057
C
58/100
Budget Balance32
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Waterbury
Hartford
Total Spending
$6.3B
$9.3B
Spending / Capita
$55,426
$76,660
Total Revenue
$4.8B
$4.9B
Revenue / Capita
$42,242
$40,445
Total Debt
$12.3M
$0
Debt / Capita
$108
$0
Population
114,480
121,057
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Waterbury$2,439
Hartford$384
Parks & Recreation
Waterbury$161
Hartford$1,661
Education
Waterbury$33,920
Hartford$39,340
Health
Waterbury$173
Hartford$1,038

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

WaterburyHartford
Property Tax
$0
$0
Sales Tax
$251
$1,103
Income Tax
$3
$9
Intergovernmental
$42,242
$10,322
Charges & Fees
$1,249
$0
Other
$2,485
$739

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

WaterburyHartford
Fire Protection
$2,439
$384
Education
$33,920
$39,340
Public Welfare
$1,768
$1,535
Health
$173
$1,038
Hospitals
$313
$5,508
Parks & Recreation
$161
$1,661
Housing
$3,627
$4,670
Sewerage
$74
$0
Utilities
$869
$298
Other
$12,083
$22,228
D
Waterbury, CT
Fiscal Health Score: 41/100
Below average fiscal health
C
Hartford, CT
Fiscal Health Score: 58/100
Average fiscal health

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