Government budget and revenue in Cambridge, Massachusetts: official figures
Cambridge's city government took in $1.9 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $16,285 for each of its 118,488 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 3rd highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Cambridge spend and on what?
It spent $2.0 billion in the same year, $17,034 per resident, the 4th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were hospitals (50.6%), elementary and secondary schools (20.5%) and police (3.4%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Cambridge collect per resident?
Taxes raised $660.56 million ($5,575 per resident, the 5th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 34.7% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Cambridge rely on?
Of Cambridge's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 87.9%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 3.7%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Cambridge's property tax share is the 113th highest of 580 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much federal and state money does Cambridge get?
Payments from other governments made up 20.0% of Cambridge's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 2.1% from the federal government ($338 per resident), 17.4% from the state. For all US city governments in 2022 the aid share was 24.3%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Cambridge raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $785.12 million, 41.2% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $23.83 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Cambridge spend on police?
Cambridge's city government spent $68.96 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $582 per resident (the 65th highest of 582) and 3.4% of its total spending; police took 10.3% of spending across all US city governments in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Cambridge spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $43.30 million, $365 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyDoes Cambridge city government run the schools?
Cambridge's city government also pays for public schools: elementary and secondary education took $412.80 million, 20.5% of its spending in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, which in most US cities is spent by a separate school district instead.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Cambridge have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Cambridge's city government owed $622.76 million in long-term debt, $5,256 per resident (the 77th highest of 582). During the year it issued $160.22 million of new long-term debt and repaid $67.41 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Cambridge pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $24.55 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 1.2% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Cambridge city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 11.6% from $14,592 to $16,285, spending per resident rose 24.7% to $17,034, taxes per resident rose 17.1% to $5,575.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Cambridge compares with other cities in the United States
City government total revenue per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Cambridge ranks 4 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total revenue per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $27,899 |
| 2 | San Francisco | $18,451 |
| 3 | New York | $15,132 |
| 4 | Cambridge | $14,592 |
| 5 | Gulfport | $11,741 |
| 6 | Santa Clara | $9,717 |
| 7 | Santa Monica | $8,672 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Cambridge ranks 4 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total spending per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $28,881 |
| 2 | San Francisco | $19,918 |
| 3 | New York | $17,135 |
| 4 | Cambridge | $13,664 |
| 5 | Gulfport | $12,087 |
| 6 | Palo Alto | $11,900 |
| 7 | Santa Clara | $10,842 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Cambridge ranks 6 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City taxes collected per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | San Francisco | $6,777 |
| 4 | Newton | $4,982 |
| 5 | Miami Beach | $4,949 |
| 6 | Cambridge | $4,761 |
| 7 | Stamford | $4,634 |
| 8 | Alexandria | $4,588 |
| 9 | Boston | $4,508 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Cambridge ranks 194 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City spending on police per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 191 | Stamford | $404 |
| 192 | Hammond | $403 |
| 193 | Union City | $403 |
| 194 | Cambridge | $402 |
| 195 | Tracy | $401 |
| 196 | Vallejo | $401 |
| 197 | Salinas | $400 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Cambridge ranks 118 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 115 | Anchorage | $4,346 |
| 116 | Nashua | $4,341 |
| 117 | Kingsport | $4,320 |
| 118 | Cambridge | $4,299 |
| 119 | Cape Coral | $4,290 |
| 120 | Shreveport | $4,274 |
| 121 | Hammond | $4,267 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Cambridge ranks 116 of 730, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 113 | Missoula | 89.9% |
| 114 | Boise City | 89.3% |
| 115 | La Crosse | 89.3% |
| 116 | Cambridge | 89.2% |
| 117 | Ankeny | 88.6% |
| 118 | Apple Valley | 88.2% |
| 119 | Maple Grove | 87.9% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Cambridge ranks 211 of 730, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 208 | Loveland | 26.4% |
| 209 | Evanston | 26.4% |
| 210 | Fresno | 26.4% |
| 211 | Cambridge | 26.3% |
| 212 | Jacksonville | 26.3% |
| 213 | Mesa | 26.3% |
| 214 | Warren | 26.2% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Cambridge ranks 3 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total revenue per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $32,072 |
| 2 | San Francisco | $22,501 |
| 3 | Cambridge | $16,285 |
| 4 | New York | $15,337 |
| 5 | Gulfport | $13,483 |
| 6 | Santa Clara | $11,999 |
| 7 | Miami Beach | $11,537 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Cambridge ranks 4 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total spending per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $32,869 |
| 2 | San Francisco | $27,288 |
| 3 | New York | $18,485 |
| 4 | Cambridge | $17,034 |
| 5 | Palo Alto | $13,262 |
| 6 | Santa Clara | $12,680 |
| 7 | Gulfport | $12,337 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Cambridge ranks 5 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City taxes collected per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | New York | $8,779 |
| 3 | San Francisco | $7,550 |
| 4 | Miami Beach | $6,514 |
| 5 | Cambridge | $5,575 |
| 6 | Boston | $5,508 |
| 7 | Newton | $5,294 |
| 8 | Alexandria | $5,042 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Cambridge ranks 65 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City spending on police per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 62 | Mesa | $586 |
| 63 | Huntington Beach | $585 |
| 64 | Providence | $583 |
| 65 | Cambridge | $582 |
| 66 | Cincinnati | $580 |
| 67 | Boynton Beach | $572 |
| 68 | Idaho Falls | $572 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Cambridge ranks 77 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 74 | Fort Lauderdale | $5,416 |
| 75 | Houston | $5,400 |
| 76 | Kalamazoo | $5,273 |
| 77 | Cambridge | $5,256 |
| 78 | Edmond | $5,251 |
| 79 | Jacksonville | $5,226 |
| 80 | Corpus Christi | $5,179 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Cambridge ranks 113 of 580, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 110 | Madison | 88.6% |
| 111 | Syracuse | 88.3% |
| 112 | Maple Grove | 88.2% |
| 113 | Cambridge | 87.9% |
| 114 | Schenectady | 87.4% |
| 115 | La Crosse | 87.2% |
| 116 | Westfield | 86.4% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Cambridge ranks 265 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 262 | Renton | 20.2% |
| 263 | Chicago | 20.1% |
| 264 | Cedar Rapids | 20.0% |
| 265 | Cambridge | 20.0% |
| 266 | Santa Clarita | 19.8% |
| 267 | Waterloo | 19.8% |
| 268 | Lynwood | 19.8% |
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Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit files (item amounts for every sampled government, directory with population and fiscal year end, state estimates by type of government), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0967c4d30466…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2022 Census of Governments: State and Local Government Finances, individual unit files (item amounts for every government, directory with population and fiscal year end, state estimates by type of government), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c8de889f6b33…)
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