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

North Charleston, SC vs Charleston, SC

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

Summary

Charleston spends 45.7% 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
North Charleston, SC
Pop. 115,755
A
80/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
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
North Charleston
Charleston
Total Spending
$1.5B
$3.6B
Spending / Capita
$12,917
$23,793
Total Revenue
$2.7B
$849.4M
Revenue / Capita
$23,753
$5,664
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
115,755
149,960
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

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

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

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