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

Raleigh, NC vs Houston, TX

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

Summary

Houston spends 3.4% more per capita than Raleigh ($489/person difference). Houston, TX has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 83/100).

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
Houston, TX
Pop. 2,296,253
A
83/100
Budget Balance94
Debt Burden72
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Raleigh
Houston
Total Spending
$6.5B
$33.1B
Spending / Capita
$13,911
$14,400
Total Revenue
$13.9B
$127.7B
Revenue / Capita
$29,940
$55,600
Total Debt
$421.6M
$2.0B
Debt / Capita
$906
$863
Population
465,517
2,296,253
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Raleigh$277
Houston$295
Highways & Roads
Raleigh$448
Houston$175
Parks & Recreation
Raleigh$1,391
Houston$361
Education
Raleigh$6
Houston$0
Health
Raleigh$0
Houston$210

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

RaleighHouston
Sales Tax
$858
$181
Income Tax
$806
$39
Intergovernmental
$14,128
$33
Charges & Fees
$2,681
$3,475
Other
$4,740
$3,960

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

RaleighHouston
Fire Protection
$277
$295
Highways & Roads
$448
$175
Education
$6
$0
Public Welfare
$498
$533
Health
$0
$210
Hospitals
$669
$511
Parks & Recreation
$1,391
$361
Housing
$2,712
$4,288
Sewerage
$281
$386
Utilities
$2,469
$1,339
Interest on Debt
$1,513
$0
Other
$3,646
$6,301
B
Raleigh, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 76/100
Good fiscal health
A
Houston, TX
Fiscal Health Score: 83/100
Excellent fiscal health

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