West Hartford, CT vs Bristol, CT
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
West Hartford, CT and Bristol, CT spend within 10.1% of each other per resident — $49,530 versus $44,977 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
West Hartford, CT holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 75/100 (grade B) against 40/100 (grade D) for Bristol, CT — a 35-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
West Hartford, CT reports no outstanding debt per resident in its Census filing, while Bristol, CT carries $47 per resident. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: education leads in West Hartford, CT at $36,675 per resident and in Bristol, CT at $30,607.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 3% of total revenue in West Hartford, CT and 100% in Bristol, CT.
Summary
West Hartford spends 10.1% more per capita than Bristol ($4,553/person difference). West Hartford, CT has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 75/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $41 | $0 |
| Sales Tax | $1,399 | $89 |
| Income Tax | $0 | $67 |
| Intergovernmental | $2,341 | $20,060 |
| Charges & Fees | $0 | $1,528 |
| Other | $1,522 | $2,307 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $464 | $379 |
| Highways & Roads | $387 | $219 |
| Education | $36,675 | $30,607 |
| Public Welfare | $1,942 | $1,237 |
| Health | $505 | $413 |
| Hospitals | $539 | $270 |
| Parks & Recreation | $1,675 | $777 |
| Housing | $2,852 | $3,405 |
| Sewerage | $0 | $112 |
| Utilities | $17 | $2,175 |
| Other | $4,475 | $5,384 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.