The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of financing investments by municipalities. Analysis covered both internal and external budgetary constraints. The analysis included all Polish municipalities divided into three types : rural, urban-rural and urban. The taxonomic measure of development by Hellwig was used for the synthetic evaluation of municipalities investment opportunities. The observed increase in the investment opportunities was mainly due to the increase in local governments operating surplus. Noticeable, albeit to a lesser extent, was also an increase in their income independence