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

Durham, NC vs Raleigh, NC

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

Summary

Durham spends 124.7% more per capita than Raleigh ($17,353/person difference). Raleigh, NC has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 76/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Durham, NC
Pop. 284,094
B
66/100
Budget Balance43
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency37
Revenue Diversity95
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
Durham
Raleigh
Total Spending
$8.9B
$6.5B
Spending / Capita
$31,264
$13,911
Total Revenue
$4.9B
$13.9B
Revenue / Capita
$17,235
$29,940
Total Debt
$0
$421.6M
Debt / Capita
$0
$906
Population
284,094
465,517
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Durham$921
Raleigh$0
Fire Protection
Durham$682
Raleigh$277
Highways & Roads
Durham$461
Raleigh$448
Parks & Recreation
Durham$0
Raleigh$1,391
Education
Durham$17,100
Raleigh$6
Health
Durham$517
Raleigh$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

DurhamRaleigh
Sales Tax
$0
$858
Income Tax
$164
$806
Intergovernmental
$6,775
$14,128
Charges & Fees
$0
$2,681
Other
$924
$4,740

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

DurhamRaleigh
Police
$921
$0
Fire Protection
$682
$277
Highways & Roads
$461
$448
Education
$17,100
$6
Public Welfare
$0
$498
Health
$517
$0
Hospitals
$159
$669
Parks & Recreation
$0
$1,391
Housing
$1,169
$2,712
Sewerage
$0
$281
Utilities
$2,350
$2,469
Interest on Debt
$32
$1,513
General Admin
$43
$0
Other
$7,830
$3,646
B
Durham, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 66/100
Good fiscal health
B
Raleigh, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 76/100
Good fiscal health

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