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

Greenville, SC vs Charleston, SC

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

Summary

Greenville spends 81.1% 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
Greenville, SC
Pop. 70,838
D
46/100
Budget Balance23
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Charleston, SC
Pop. 149,960
C
50/100
Budget Balance16
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency39
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

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

Per Capita Spending by Department

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

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

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