City government · San Diego County, CA
San Diego's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended June 30, 2024), San Diego took in $5.57 billion and spent $7.04 billion.
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Where it comes from
What stands out
of San Diego's money comes from federal tax money.A typical U.S. city of 50,000+ people gets 3.6%.
City taxes33%
What's in other taxesOther selective sales taxes; public utility taxes and 3 more
- Other selective sales taxes$311 million
- Public utility taxes$258 million
- Occupation and business licenses$35.8 million
- Other licenses$15.3 million
- Real estate and stock transfer taxes$9.6 million
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services41%
What's in fees for servicesOther service charges; water and 8 more
- Other service charges$942 million
- Water$577 million
- Sewer$431 million
- Parks and recreation$154 million
- Garbage collection$89.1 million
- Housing$77.1 million
- Airport$9.4 million
- Parking$6.0 million
- Road charges$1.9 million
- Other government-run businesses$1.4 million
Amounts are by Census type of charge.
Federal tax money13%
Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.
State tax money2.8%
Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.
County and local tax money0.5%
Money passed on by the county or other local governments.
Fines and other9.4%
Where it goes
What stands out
of San Diego's spending goes to housing and community development.A typical U.S. city of 50,000+ people spends 1.4%.
Spending by category100%
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesWater supply; sewer systems and 1 more
- Water supply$1.01 billion
- Sewer systems$645 million
- Garbage and solid waste$176 million
What's in running the government and other costsOther and not broken out; central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology) and 3 more
- Other and not broken out$699 million
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$481 million
- Government buildings$109 million
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$63.3 million
- Other government-run businesses$2.2 million
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPolice; fire protection and 2 more
- Police$678 million
- Fire protection$372 million
- Inspections and regulation$123 million
- Courts and legal services$81.8 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation and libraries
- Parks and recreation$730 million
- Libraries$85.5 million
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways; public transit and 2 more
- Roads and highways$640 million
- Public transit$45.1 million
- Airports$8.8 million
- Parking$3.6 million
What's in interest on debtInterest on general debt and interest on water supply debt
- Interest on general debt$155 million
- Interest on water supply debt$52.9 million
What's in health and hospitalsPublic health
- Public health$129 million
What's in sent to other local governmentsSent to local governments: other and not broken out
- Sent to local governments: other and not broken out$5.4 million
What's in environment and natural resourcesNatural resources, farming and conservation
- Natural resources, farming and conservation$3.5 million
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
City of San Diego. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
What this covers. The money of City of San Diego itself. Other governments that serve the same area (the city, county, school district and state) are separate and not included. Borrowing, transfers between a government's own funds, and pension trust funds are not counted as revenue.