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

Charleston, SC vs Mount Pleasant, SC

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

Summary

Charleston spends 96.5% more per capita than Mount Pleasant ($11,682/person difference). Mount Pleasant, SC has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 70/100).

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
Mount Pleasant, SC
Pop. 90,945
B
70/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Charleston
Mount Pleasant
Total Spending
$3.6B
$1.1B
Spending / Capita
$23,793
$12,111
Total Revenue
$849.4M
$2.4B
Revenue / Capita
$5,664
$26,626
Total Debt
$0
$84.1M
Debt / Capita
$0
$925
Population
149,960
90,945
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Charleston$1,726
Mount Pleasant$399
Highways & Roads
Charleston$1,309
Mount Pleasant$0
Parks & Recreation
Charleston$3,903
Mount Pleasant$963
Health
Charleston$2,099
Mount Pleasant$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

CharlestonMount Pleasant
Sales Tax
$1,723
$437
Income Tax
$2,502
$0
Intergovernmental
$646
$6,212
Charges & Fees
$0
$2,912
Other
$4,635
$3,395

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

CharlestonMount Pleasant
Fire Protection
$1,726
$399
Highways & Roads
$1,309
$0
Public Welfare
$902
$623
Health
$2,099
$0
Parks & Recreation
$3,903
$963
Housing
$5,779
$2,205
Sewerage
$191
$0
Utilities
$2,955
$3,710
General Admin
$625
$0
Other
$4,305
$4,211
C
Charleston, SC
Fiscal Health Score: 50/100
Average fiscal health
B
Mount Pleasant, SC
Fiscal Health Score: 70/100
Good fiscal health

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