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

Charleston, SC vs North Charleston, SC

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

Summary

Charleston spends 84.2% more per capita than North Charleston ($10,876/person difference). North Charleston, SC has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 80/100).

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
North Charleston, SC
Pop. 115,755
A
80/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Charleston
North Charleston
Total Spending
$3.6B
$1.5B
Spending / Capita
$23,793
$12,917
Total Revenue
$849.4M
$2.7B
Revenue / Capita
$5,664
$23,753
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
149,960
115,755
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Charleston$1,726
North Charleston$1,323
Highways & Roads
Charleston$1,309
North Charleston$867
Parks & Recreation
Charleston$3,903
North Charleston$987
Health
Charleston$2,099
North Charleston$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

CharlestonNorth Charleston
Sales Tax
$1,723
$231
Income Tax
$2,502
$0
Intergovernmental
$646
$23,753
Other
$4,635
$632

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

CharlestonNorth Charleston
Fire Protection
$1,726
$1,323
Highways & Roads
$1,309
$867
Public Welfare
$902
$0
Health
$2,099
$0
Hospitals
$0
$194
Parks & Recreation
$3,903
$987
Housing
$5,779
$3,880
Sewerage
$191
$274
Utilities
$2,955
$650
General Admin
$625
$0
Other
$4,305
$4,742
C
Charleston, SC
Fiscal Health Score: 50/100
Average fiscal health
A
North Charleston, SC
Fiscal Health Score: 80/100
Excellent fiscal health

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