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

Raleigh, NC vs Columbus, OH

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

Summary

Columbus spends 26.2% more per capita than Raleigh ($4,947/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
Columbus, OH
Pop. 902,449
C
52/100
Budget Balance32
Debt Burden46
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency94
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Raleigh
Columbus
Total Spending
$6.5B
$17.0B
Spending / Capita
$13,911
$18,858
Total Revenue
$13.9B
$0
Revenue / Capita
$29,940
$0
Total Debt
$421.6M
$1.0B
Debt / Capita
$906
$1,145
Population
465,517
902,449
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Raleigh$277
Columbus$1,016
Highways & Roads
Raleigh$448
Columbus$224
Parks & Recreation
Raleigh$1,391
Columbus$2,168
Education
Raleigh$6
Columbus$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

RaleighColumbus
Property Tax
$0
$10
Sales Tax
$858
$234
Income Tax
$806
$1
Intergovernmental
$14,128
$0
Charges & Fees
$2,681
$2,389
Other
$4,740
$5,248

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

RaleighColumbus
Fire Protection
$277
$1,016
Highways & Roads
$448
$224
Education
$6
$0
Public Welfare
$498
$878
Hospitals
$669
$953
Parks & Recreation
$1,391
$2,168
Housing
$2,712
$4,303
Sewerage
$281
$1
Utilities
$2,469
$1,719
Interest on Debt
$1,513
$0
Other
$3,646
$7,595
B
Raleigh, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 76/100
Good fiscal health
C
Columbus, OH
Fiscal Health Score: 52/100
Average fiscal health

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