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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Cary, NC vs Raleigh, NC

Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)

Summary

Cary spends 15.4% more per capita than Raleigh ($2,146/person difference). Raleigh, NC has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 76/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Cary, NC
Pop. 174,880
B
70/100
Budget Balance86
Debt Burden80
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency85
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Raleigh, NC
Pop. 465,517
B
76/100
Budget Balance82
Debt Burden68
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity67
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Cary
Raleigh
Total Spending
$2.8B
$6.5B
Spending / Capita
$16,057
$13,911
Total Revenue
$4.6B
$13.9B
Revenue / Capita
$26,541
$29,940
Total Debt
$101.8M
$421.6M
Debt / Capita
$582
$906
Population
174,880
465,517
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Cary$353
Raleigh$277
Highways & Roads
Cary$0
Raleigh$448
Parks & Recreation
Cary$1,581
Raleigh$1,391
Education
Cary$0
Raleigh$6

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

CaryRaleigh
Sales Tax
$493
$858
Income Tax
$801
$806
Intergovernmental
$26,541
$14,128
Charges & Fees
$1,981
$2,681
Other
$3,182
$4,740

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

CaryRaleigh
Fire Protection
$353
$277
Highways & Roads
$0
$448
Education
$0
$6
Public Welfare
$58
$498
Hospitals
$322
$669
Parks & Recreation
$1,581
$1,391
Housing
$1,880
$2,712
Sewerage
$338
$281
Utilities
$3,759
$2,469
Interest on Debt
$733
$1,513
Other
$7,034
$3,646
B
Cary, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 70/100
Good fiscal health
B
Raleigh, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 76/100
Good fiscal health

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