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

Waukesha, WI vs Appleton, WI

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

Summary

Waukesha spends 151.4% more per capita than Appleton ($23,075/person difference). Appleton, WI has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 87/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Waukesha, WI
Pop. 70,945
C
53/100
Budget Balance13
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Appleton, WI
Pop. 75,133
A
87/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency81
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Waukesha
Appleton
Total Spending
$2.7B
$1.1B
Spending / Capita
$38,315
$15,241
Total Revenue
$851.5M
$2.8B
Revenue / Capita
$12,002
$37,069
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
70,945
75,133
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Waukesha$2,927
Appleton$0
Fire Protection
Waukesha$856
Appleton$206
Highways & Roads
Waukesha$1,204
Appleton$81
Parks & Recreation
Waukesha$1,677
Appleton$661
Health
Waukesha$523
Appleton$684

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

WaukeshaAppleton
Property Tax
$1
$1,550
Sales Tax
$891
$558
Income Tax
$0
$226
Intergovernmental
$3,249
$5,693
Charges & Fees
$0
$1,875
Other
$2,389
$1,817

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

WaukeshaAppleton
Police
$2,927
$0
Fire Protection
$856
$206
Highways & Roads
$1,204
$81
Public Welfare
$1,186
$2,412
Health
$523
$684
Hospitals
$0
$75
Parks & Recreation
$1,677
$661
Housing
$4,755
$2,686
Sewerage
$0
$130
Utilities
$6,106
$2,687
Interest on Debt
$88
$1,257
Other
$18,994
$4,363
C
Waukesha, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 53/100
Average fiscal health
A
Appleton, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 87/100
Excellent fiscal health

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