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

Waukesha, WI vs Madison, WI

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

Summary

Waukesha spends 75.3% more per capita than Madison ($16,456/person difference). Madison, 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
Madison, WI
Pop. 268,516
A
87/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency80
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Waukesha
Madison
Total Spending
$2.7B
$5.9B
Spending / Capita
$38,315
$21,859
Total Revenue
$851.5M
$11.3B
Revenue / Capita
$12,002
$41,927
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
70,945
268,516
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Waukesha$2,927
Madison$0
Fire Protection
Waukesha$856
Madison$264
Highways & Roads
Waukesha$1,204
Madison$47
Parks & Recreation
Waukesha$1,677
Madison$1,572
Education
Waukesha$0
Madison$0
Health
Waukesha$523
Madison$744

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

WaukeshaMadison
Property Tax
$1
$770
Sales Tax
$891
$1,178
Income Tax
$0
$32
Intergovernmental
$3,249
$7,913
Charges & Fees
$0
$1,755
Other
$2,389
$2,381

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

WaukeshaMadison
Police
$2,927
$0
Fire Protection
$856
$264
Highways & Roads
$1,204
$47
Education
$0
$0
Public Welfare
$1,186
$1,769
Health
$523
$744
Hospitals
$0
$1,664
Parks & Recreation
$1,677
$1,572
Housing
$4,755
$3,100
Sewerage
$0
$166
Utilities
$6,106
$3,406
Interest on Debt
$88
$2,451
Other
$18,994
$6,676
C
Waukesha, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 53/100
Average fiscal health
A
Madison, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 87/100
Excellent fiscal health

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