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

Raleigh, NC vs Atlanta, GA

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

Summary

Atlanta spends 45.4% more per capita than Raleigh ($11,546/person difference). Atlanta, GA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 85/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Raleigh, NC
Pop. 465,517
B
76/100
Budget Balance82
Debt Burden68
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity67
Trend Direction50
City B
Atlanta, GA
Pop. 494,838
A
85/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency64
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Raleigh
Atlanta
Total Spending
$6.5B
$12.6B
Spending / Capita
$13,911
$25,457
Total Revenue
$13.9B
$77.6B
Revenue / Capita
$29,940
$156,803
Total Debt
$421.6M
$0
Debt / Capita
$906
$0
Population
465,517
494,838
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Raleigh$0
Atlanta$315
Fire Protection
Raleigh$277
Atlanta$464
Highways & Roads
Raleigh$448
Atlanta$513
Parks & Recreation
Raleigh$1,391
Atlanta$1,274
Education
Raleigh$6
Atlanta$25

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

RaleighAtlanta
Property Tax
$0
$419
Sales Tax
$858
$0
Income Tax
$806
$1,292
Intergovernmental
$14,128
$9,121
Charges & Fees
$2,681
$5,645
Other
$4,740
$5,461

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

RaleighAtlanta
Police
$0
$315
Fire Protection
$277
$464
Highways & Roads
$448
$513
Education
$6
$25
Public Welfare
$498
$1,587
Hospitals
$669
$55
Parks & Recreation
$1,391
$1,274
Housing
$2,712
$4,594
Sewerage
$281
$343
Utilities
$2,469
$8,026
Interest on Debt
$1,513
$0
Other
$3,646
$8,262
B
Raleigh, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 76/100
Good fiscal health
A
Atlanta, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 85/100
Excellent fiscal health

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