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

Wichita, KS vs Chicago, IL

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

Summary

Chicago spends 76.9% more per capita than Wichita ($26,565/person difference). Wichita, KS has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 90/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Wichita, KS
Pop. 395,951
A
90/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Chicago, IL
Pop. 2,721,914
C
61/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden61
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency22
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Wichita
Chicago
Total Spending
$3.2B
$94.0B
Spending / Capita
$7,986
$34,551
Total Revenue
$10.7B
$231.6B
Revenue / Capita
$27,057
$85,083
Total Debt
$52.2M
$2.7B
Debt / Capita
$132
$977
Population
395,951
2,721,914
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Wichita$152
Chicago$10,754
Highways & Roads
Wichita$126
Chicago$930
Parks & Recreation
Wichita$874
Chicago$122
Education
Wichita$2
Chicago$0
Health
Wichita$254
Chicago$426

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

WichitaChicago
Property Tax
$0
$26
Sales Tax
$246
$74
Income Tax
$57
$229
Intergovernmental
$3,895
$85,083
Charges & Fees
$3,193
$2,847
Other
$2,783
$3,463

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

WichitaChicago
Fire Protection
$152
$10,754
Highways & Roads
$126
$930
Education
$2
$0
Public Welfare
$441
$1,858
Health
$254
$426
Hospitals
$113
$1,444
Parks & Recreation
$874
$122
Housing
$2,618
$6,520
Sewerage
$0
$129
Utilities
$1,225
$2,983
Interest on Debt
$70
$0
Other
$2,111
$9,385
A
Wichita, KS
Fiscal Health Score: 90/100
Excellent fiscal health
C
Chicago, IL
Fiscal Health Score: 61/100
Average fiscal health

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