Government budget and revenue in Los Angeles, California: official figures
Los Angeles' city government took in $22.2 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $5,808 for each of its 3,822,238 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 69th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Los Angeles spend and on what?
It spent $22.6 billion in the same year, $5,919 per resident, the 78th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (15.0%), airports (12.9%) and the electric utility (11.9%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Los Angeles collect per resident?
Taxes raised $6.7 billion ($1,742 per resident, the 104th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 41.6% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Los Angeles rely on?
Of Los Angeles' tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 43.7%, general sales tax 14.9%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 20.3%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Los Angeles' property tax share is the 209th lowest 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 Los Angeles get?
Payments from other governments made up 13.1% of Los Angeles' city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 4.0% from the federal government ($168 per resident), 5.8% from the state and 3.2% from other local governments. For all US city governments in 2022 the aid share was 24.3%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Los Angeles raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $5.7 billion, 35.3% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $6.2 billion.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Los Angeles spend on police?
Los Angeles' city government spent $3.4 billion on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $888 per resident (the 10th highest of 582) and 15.0% 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 Los Angeles spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $881.35 million, $231 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Los Angeles have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Los Angeles' city government owed $39.4 billion in long-term debt, $10,297 per resident (the 17th highest of 582). During the year it issued $3.0 billion of new long-term debt and repaid $5.1 billion.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Los Angeles pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $1.2 billion in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 5.3% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Los Angeles city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 14.1% from $5,088 to $5,808, spending per resident rose 12.9% to $5,919, taxes per resident rose 14.1% to $1,742.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Los Angeles 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))
Los Angeles ranks 80 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 77 | Suffolk | $5,161 |
| 78 | Quincy | $5,159 |
| 79 | Kansas City | $5,104 |
| 80 | Los Angeles | $5,088 |
| 81 | Roanoke | $5,077 |
| 82 | Santa Barbara | $5,067 |
| 83 | Portsmouth | $5,043 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Los Angeles ranks 82 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 79 | Sunnyvale | $5,254 |
| 80 | Lafayette | $5,254 |
| 81 | Marietta | $5,254 |
| 82 | Los Angeles | $5,245 |
| 83 | Hampton | $5,237 |
| 84 | New Braunfels | $5,228 |
| 85 | Lowell | $5,218 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Los Angeles ranks 129 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 126 | Westminster | $1,531 |
| 127 | Pawtucket | $1,530 |
| 128 | Lexington | $1,527 |
| 129 | Los Angeles | $1,526 |
| 130 | Napa | $1,526 |
| 131 | Santa Cruz | $1,526 |
| 132 | Miami | $1,526 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Los Angeles ranks 14 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Baltimore | $792 |
| 12 | Oakland | $757 |
| 13 | St. Louis | $755 |
| 14 | Los Angeles | $749 |
| 15 | Bridgeport | $747 |
| 16 | Albany | $737 |
| 17 | Inglewood | $714 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Los Angeles ranks 16 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Springfield | $11,105 |
| 14 | Celina | $10,809 |
| 15 | Anaheim | $9,693 |
| 16 | Los Angeles | $9,401 |
| 17 | Kansas City | $9,151 |
| 18 | Quincy | $9,035 |
| 19 | Waukesha | $8,895 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Los Angeles ranks 417 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 414 | Midland | 43.7% |
| 415 | Livermore | 43.5% |
| 416 | Carlsbad | 43.4% |
| 417 | Los Angeles | 43.2% |
| 418 | Columbia | 43.0% |
| 419 | San Marcos | 42.9% |
| 420 | Lawrence | 42.8% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Los Angeles ranks 381 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 378 | Bloomington | 17.0% |
| 379 | Yucaipa | 17.0% |
| 380 | Newton | 16.9% |
| 381 | Los Angeles | 16.9% |
| 382 | Tinley Park | 16.9% |
| 383 | Kent | 16.9% |
| 384 | Layton | 16.9% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Los Angeles ranks 69 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 66 | Lawrence | $5,866 |
| 67 | Memphis | $5,855 |
| 68 | Yonkers | $5,816 |
| 69 | Los Angeles | $5,808 |
| 70 | Norwalk | $5,805 |
| 71 | East Orange | $5,782 |
| 72 | Anchorage | $5,700 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Los Angeles ranks 78 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 75 | Jacksonville | $5,974 |
| 76 | Lafayette | $5,940 |
| 77 | Inglewood | $5,932 |
| 78 | Los Angeles | $5,919 |
| 79 | Long Beach | $5,916 |
| 80 | Bayonne | $5,896 |
| 81 | Chesapeake | $5,873 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Los Angeles ranks 104 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 101 | Richardson | $1,785 |
| 102 | Lynn | $1,773 |
| 103 | Pittsburgh | $1,745 |
| 104 | Los Angeles | $1,742 |
| 105 | Westminster | $1,740 |
| 106 | Lexington | $1,739 |
| 107 | Sarasota | $1,738 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Los Angeles ranks 10 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Newport Beach | $954 |
| 8 | Fort Lauderdale | $928 |
| 9 | Vacaville | $915 |
| 10 | Los Angeles | $888 |
| 11 | Scottsdale | $885 |
| 12 | Baltimore | $867 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $851 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Los Angeles ranks 17 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Quincy | $10,437 |
| 15 | Waukesha | $10,415 |
| 16 | Chicago | $10,324 |
| 17 | Los Angeles | $10,297 |
| 18 | Owensboro | $10,008 |
| 19 | Dallas | $9,927 |
| 20 | Denton | $9,840 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Los Angeles ranks 372 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 369 | Bend | 44.3% |
| 370 | La Habra | 43.9% |
| 371 | Arlington | 43.7% |
| 372 | Los Angeles | 43.7% |
| 373 | Lawrence | 43.4% |
| 374 | Springfield | 43.4% |
| 375 | Santa Clara | 42.9% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Los Angeles ranks 388 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 385 | Decatur | 13.1% |
| 386 | Springfield | 13.1% |
| 387 | Moreno Valley | 13.1% |
| 388 | Los Angeles | 13.1% |
| 389 | Davie | 13.0% |
| 390 | El Paso | 13.0% |
| 391 | Topeka | 13.0% |
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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…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.