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

Charleston, SC vs Summerville, SC

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

Summary

Charleston spends 139.2% more per capita than Summerville ($13,848/person difference). Summerville, SC has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 67/100).

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
Summerville, SC
Pop. 50,839
B
67/100
Budget Balance49
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Charleston
Summerville
Total Spending
$3.6B
$505.6M
Spending / Capita
$23,793
$9,946
Total Revenue
$849.4M
$253.7M
Revenue / Capita
$5,664
$4,990
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
149,960
50,839
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Charleston$1,726
Summerville$152
Highways & Roads
Charleston$1,309
Summerville$527
Parks & Recreation
Charleston$3,903
Summerville$631
Health
Charleston$2,099
Summerville$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

CharlestonSummerville
Sales Tax
$1,723
$92
Income Tax
$2,502
$0
Intergovernmental
$646
$4,202
Charges & Fees
$0
$2,363
Other
$4,635
$971

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

CharlestonSummerville
Fire Protection
$1,726
$152
Highways & Roads
$1,309
$527
Public Welfare
$902
$0
Health
$2,099
$0
Parks & Recreation
$3,903
$631
Housing
$5,779
$2,315
Sewerage
$191
$153
Utilities
$2,955
$2,819
General Admin
$625
$0
Other
$4,305
$3,350
C
Charleston, SC
Fiscal Health Score: 50/100
Average fiscal health
B
Summerville, SC
Fiscal Health Score: 67/100
Good fiscal health

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