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

Raleigh, NC vs Chicago, IL

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

Summary

Chicago spends 59.7% more per capita than Raleigh ($20,640/person difference). Raleigh, NC has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 76/100).

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
Chicago, IL
Pop. 2,721,914
C
61/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden61
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency22
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Raleigh
Chicago
Total Spending
$6.5B
$94.0B
Spending / Capita
$13,911
$34,551
Total Revenue
$13.9B
$231.6B
Revenue / Capita
$29,940
$85,083
Total Debt
$421.6M
$2.7B
Debt / Capita
$906
$977
Population
465,517
2,721,914
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Raleigh$277
Chicago$10,754
Highways & Roads
Raleigh$448
Chicago$930
Parks & Recreation
Raleigh$1,391
Chicago$122
Education
Raleigh$6
Chicago$0
Health
Raleigh$0
Chicago$426

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

RaleighChicago
Property Tax
$0
$26
Sales Tax
$858
$74
Income Tax
$806
$229
Intergovernmental
$14,128
$85,083
Charges & Fees
$2,681
$2,847
Other
$4,740
$3,463

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

RaleighChicago
Fire Protection
$277
$10,754
Highways & Roads
$448
$930
Education
$6
$0
Public Welfare
$498
$1,858
Health
$0
$426
Hospitals
$669
$1,444
Parks & Recreation
$1,391
$122
Housing
$2,712
$6,520
Sewerage
$281
$129
Utilities
$2,469
$2,983
Interest on Debt
$1,513
$0
Other
$3,646
$9,385
B
Raleigh, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 76/100
Good fiscal health
C
Chicago, IL
Fiscal Health Score: 61/100
Average fiscal health

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