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

Wichita, KS vs Denver, CO

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

Summary

Denver spends 76.2% more per capita than Wichita ($25,596/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
Denver, CO
Pop. 710,800
C
51/100
Budget Balance68
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency26
Revenue Diversity99
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Wichita
Denver
Total Spending
$3.2B
$23.9B
Spending / Capita
$7,986
$33,582
Total Revenue
$10.7B
$86.8B
Revenue / Capita
$27,057
$122,063
Total Debt
$52.2M
$3.6B
Debt / Capita
$132
$5,126
Population
395,951
710,800
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Wichita$0
Denver$2,455
Fire Protection
Wichita$152
Denver$1,668
Highways & Roads
Wichita$126
Denver$475
Parks & Recreation
Wichita$874
Denver$3,319
Education
Wichita$2
Denver$821
Health
Wichita$254
Denver$693

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

WichitaDenver
Sales Tax
$246
$2,070
Income Tax
$57
$236
Intergovernmental
$3,895
$44,661
Charges & Fees
$3,193
$5,207
Other
$2,783
$10,100

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

WichitaDenver
Police
$0
$2,455
Fire Protection
$152
$1,668
Highways & Roads
$126
$475
Education
$2
$821
Public Welfare
$441
$764
Health
$254
$693
Hospitals
$113
$2,855
Parks & Recreation
$874
$3,319
Housing
$2,618
$3,565
Sewerage
$0
$293
Utilities
$1,225
$4,292
Interest on Debt
$70
$7
General Admin
$0
$364
Other
$2,111
$12,011
A
Wichita, KS
Fiscal Health Score: 90/100
Excellent fiscal health
C
Denver, CO
Fiscal Health Score: 51/100
Average fiscal health

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