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

Raleigh, NC vs Mesa, AZ

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

Summary

Raleigh spends 9.0% more per capita than Mesa ($1,143/person difference). Mesa, AZ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 90/100).

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
Mesa, AZ
Pop. 503,390
A
90/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Raleigh
Mesa
Total Spending
$6.5B
$6.4B
Spending / Capita
$13,911
$12,768
Total Revenue
$13.9B
$18.0B
Revenue / Capita
$29,940
$35,688
Total Debt
$421.6M
$236.3M
Debt / Capita
$906
$469
Population
465,517
503,390
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Raleigh$277
Mesa$422
Highways & Roads
Raleigh$448
Mesa$192
Parks & Recreation
Raleigh$1,391
Mesa$953
Education
Raleigh$6
Mesa$0
Health
Raleigh$0
Mesa$147

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

RaleighMesa
Property Tax
$0
$47
Sales Tax
$858
$463
Income Tax
$806
$1,376
Intergovernmental
$14,128
$1,383
Charges & Fees
$2,681
$3,334
Other
$4,740
$2,253

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

RaleighMesa
Fire Protection
$277
$422
Highways & Roads
$448
$192
Education
$6
$0
Public Welfare
$498
$829
Health
$0
$147
Hospitals
$669
$537
Parks & Recreation
$1,391
$953
Housing
$2,712
$4,190
Sewerage
$281
$38
Utilities
$2,469
$2,376
Interest on Debt
$1,513
$0
Other
$3,646
$3,082
B
Raleigh, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 76/100
Good fiscal health
A
Mesa, AZ
Fiscal Health Score: 90/100
Excellent fiscal health

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