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

Waukesha, WI vs Milwaukee, WI

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

Summary

Waukesha spends 97.3% more per capita than Milwaukee ($18,898/person difference). Milwaukee, WI has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 62/100).

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
Milwaukee, WI
Pop. 573,299
C
62/100
Budget Balance32
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency91
Revenue Diversity1
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Waukesha
Milwaukee
Total Spending
$2.7B
$11.1B
Spending / Capita
$38,315
$19,417
Total Revenue
$851.5M
$6.3B
Revenue / Capita
$12,002
$11,027
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
70,945
573,299
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Waukesha$2,927
Milwaukee$3,642
Fire Protection
Waukesha$856
Milwaukee$802
Highways & Roads
Waukesha$1,204
Milwaukee$23
Parks & Recreation
Waukesha$1,677
Milwaukee$2,206
Health
Waukesha$523
Milwaukee$1

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

WaukeshaMilwaukee
Property Tax
$1
$0
Sales Tax
$891
$6,548
Income Tax
$0
$1
Intergovernmental
$3,249
$1,231
Other
$2,389
$3,984

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

WaukeshaMilwaukee
Police
$2,927
$3,642
Fire Protection
$856
$802
Highways & Roads
$1,204
$23
Public Welfare
$1,186
$180
Health
$523
$1
Parks & Recreation
$1,677
$2,206
Housing
$4,755
$1,071
Utilities
$6,106
$1,866
Interest on Debt
$88
$1,608
Other
$18,994
$8,018
C
Waukesha, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 53/100
Average fiscal health
C
Milwaukee, WI
Fiscal Health Score: 62/100
Average fiscal health

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