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

Raleigh, NC vs Durham, NC

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

Summary

Durham spends 55.5% more per capita than Raleigh ($17,353/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
Durham, NC
Pop. 284,094
B
66/100
Budget Balance43
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency37
Revenue Diversity95
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Raleigh
Durham
Total Spending
$6.5B
$8.9B
Spending / Capita
$13,911
$31,264
Total Revenue
$13.9B
$4.9B
Revenue / Capita
$29,940
$17,235
Total Debt
$421.6M
$0
Debt / Capita
$906
$0
Population
465,517
284,094
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Raleigh$0
Durham$921
Fire Protection
Raleigh$277
Durham$682
Highways & Roads
Raleigh$448
Durham$461
Parks & Recreation
Raleigh$1,391
Durham$0
Education
Raleigh$6
Durham$17,100
Health
Raleigh$0
Durham$517

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

RaleighDurham
Sales Tax
$858
$0
Income Tax
$806
$164
Intergovernmental
$14,128
$6,775
Charges & Fees
$2,681
$0
Other
$4,740
$924

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

RaleighDurham
Police
$0
$921
Fire Protection
$277
$682
Highways & Roads
$448
$461
Education
$6
$17,100
Public Welfare
$498
$0
Health
$0
$517
Hospitals
$669
$159
Parks & Recreation
$1,391
$0
Housing
$2,712
$1,169
Sewerage
$281
$0
Utilities
$2,469
$2,350
Interest on Debt
$1,513
$32
General Admin
$0
$43
Other
$3,646
$7,830
B
Raleigh, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 76/100
Good fiscal health
B
Durham, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 66/100
Good fiscal health

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