MoneyGeek analyzed police and correctional spending data for each state to find out where people spend the most money on law enforcement. States are ranked using spending per capita and percentage of total state and local spending to see which states spend the most on police and corrections.
National per capita spending on law enforcement and corrections was $655 in 2020, while state per capita spending ranged from $1,337 in Washington, DC to $390 in Kentucky. Nevada was one of MoneyGeek’s 10 most tax-friendly US states, spending 7% of its budget on law enforcement.Florida, another tax favorable states, spent 7.3% of its budget on policing. Both states spend the highest percentage of their local and state spending on law enforcement, well above her national average of 5.1%.
10 states spending the most on enforcement and corrections
10. Idaho
Policing and remediation cost per person: $576
Percentage of total expenditure: 6.2%
Police and corrections spending: $1 billion
9. Delaware
Policing and remediation cost per person: $774
Percentage of total expenditure: 5.7%
Police and corrections spending: $800 million
8. New Mexico
Policing and remediation cost per person: $759
Percentage of total expenditure: 5.7%
Police and corrections spending: $1.6 billion
7. Alaska
Policing and remediation cost per person: $1,030
Percentage of total expenditure: 5.%
Police and corrections spending: $800 million
6. Arizona
Policing and remediation cost per person: $655
Percentage of total expenditure: 6.7%
Police and corrections spending: $4.8 billion
5. District of Columbia
Policing and remediation costs per person: $1,337
Percentage of total expenditure: 4.%
Police and corrections spending: $9 billion
4. California
Policing and remediation cost per person: $981
Percentage of total expenditure: 5.7%
Police and corrections spending: $38.8 billion
3. Maryland
Policing and remediation cost per person: $842
Percentage of total expenditure: 6.3%
Police and corrections spending: $5.1 billion
2. Nevada
Policing and remediation cost per person: $756
Percentage of total expenditure: 7.%
Police and correctional spending: $2.3 billion
1. Florida
Policing and remediation cost per person: $704
Percentage of total expenditure: 7.3%
Police and correctional spending: $15.1B
States that spend the least on enforcement and corrections
Below is a list of states that spend the least per capita on enforcement and remediation when compared to statewide budgets.
1. Kentucky
2. Iowa
3. Main
4. Indiana
5. South Carolina
6. Mississippi
7. Utah
8. Hawaii
9. Arkansas
10. Massachusetts
