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

Raleigh, NC vs Denver, CO

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

Summary

Denver spends 58.6% more per capita than Raleigh ($19,671/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
Denver, CO
Pop. 710,800
C
51/100
Budget Balance68
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency26
Revenue Diversity99
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Raleigh
Denver
Total Spending
$6.5B
$23.9B
Spending / Capita
$13,911
$33,582
Total Revenue
$13.9B
$86.8B
Revenue / Capita
$29,940
$122,063
Total Debt
$421.6M
$3.6B
Debt / Capita
$906
$5,126
Population
465,517
710,800
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Raleigh$0
Denver$2,455
Fire Protection
Raleigh$277
Denver$1,668
Highways & Roads
Raleigh$448
Denver$475
Parks & Recreation
Raleigh$1,391
Denver$3,319
Education
Raleigh$6
Denver$821
Health
Raleigh$0
Denver$693

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

RaleighDenver
Sales Tax
$858
$2,070
Income Tax
$806
$236
Intergovernmental
$14,128
$44,661
Charges & Fees
$2,681
$5,207
Other
$4,740
$10,100

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

RaleighDenver
Police
$0
$2,455
Fire Protection
$277
$1,668
Highways & Roads
$448
$475
Education
$6
$821
Public Welfare
$498
$764
Health
$0
$693
Hospitals
$669
$2,855
Parks & Recreation
$1,391
$3,319
Housing
$2,712
$3,565
Sewerage
$281
$293
Utilities
$2,469
$4,292
Interest on Debt
$1,513
$7
General Admin
$0
$364
Other
$3,646
$12,011
B
Raleigh, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 76/100
Good fiscal health
C
Denver, CO
Fiscal Health Score: 51/100
Average fiscal health

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