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

Charleston, SC vs Greenville, SC

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

Summary

Greenville spends 44.8% more per capita than Charleston ($19,300/person difference). Charleston, SC has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 50/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Charleston, SC
Pop. 149,960
C
50/100
Budget Balance16
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency39
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Greenville, SC
Pop. 70,838
D
46/100
Budget Balance23
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Charleston
Greenville
Total Spending
$3.6B
$3.1B
Spending / Capita
$23,793
$43,093
Total Revenue
$849.4M
$1.3B
Revenue / Capita
$5,664
$17,967
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
149,960
70,838
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Charleston$0
Greenville$4,914
Fire Protection
Charleston$1,726
Greenville$2,341
Highways & Roads
Charleston$1,309
Greenville$842
Parks & Recreation
Charleston$3,903
Greenville$2,637
Health
Charleston$2,099
Greenville$3,014

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

CharlestonGreenville
Property Tax
$0
$1,988
Sales Tax
$1,723
$643
Income Tax
$2,502
$1,116
Intergovernmental
$646
$17,967
Other
$4,635
$4,746

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

CharlestonGreenville
Police
$0
$4,914
Fire Protection
$1,726
$2,341
Highways & Roads
$1,309
$842
Public Welfare
$902
$1,226
Health
$2,099
$3,014
Hospitals
$0
$159
Parks & Recreation
$3,903
$2,637
Housing
$5,779
$11,807
Sewerage
$191
$551
Utilities
$2,955
$3,041
General Admin
$625
$0
Other
$4,305
$12,562
C
Charleston, SC
Fiscal Health Score: 50/100
Average fiscal health
D
Greenville, SC
Fiscal Health Score: 46/100
Below average fiscal health

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