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

Raleigh, NC vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Summary

Philadelphia spends 75.3% more per capita than Raleigh ($42,361/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
Philadelphia, PA
Pop. 1,593,208
D
45/100
Budget Balance17
Debt Burden53
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Raleigh
Philadelphia
Total Spending
$6.5B
$89.7B
Spending / Capita
$13,911
$56,272
Total Revenue
$13.9B
$64.4B
Revenue / Capita
$29,940
$40,425
Total Debt
$421.6M
$1.7B
Debt / Capita
$906
$1,069
Population
465,517
1,593,208
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Raleigh$0
Philadelphia$1,505
Fire Protection
Raleigh$277
Philadelphia$7,082
Highways & Roads
Raleigh$448
Philadelphia$1,215
Parks & Recreation
Raleigh$1,391
Philadelphia$593
Education
Raleigh$6
Philadelphia$0
Health
Raleigh$0
Philadelphia$229

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

RaleighPhiladelphia
Sales Tax
$858
$107
Income Tax
$806
$8
Intergovernmental
$14,128
$6,288
Charges & Fees
$2,681
$2,790
Other
$4,740
$4,029

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

RaleighPhiladelphia
Police
$0
$1,505
Fire Protection
$277
$7,082
Highways & Roads
$448
$1,215
Education
$6
$0
Public Welfare
$498
$1,456
Health
$0
$229
Hospitals
$669
$4,048
Parks & Recreation
$1,391
$593
Housing
$2,712
$4,902
Sewerage
$281
$325
Utilities
$2,469
$4,222
Interest on Debt
$1,513
$3
Other
$3,646
$30,692
B
Raleigh, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 76/100
Good fiscal health
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health

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