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

Raleigh, NC vs Phoenix, AZ

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

Summary

Phoenix spends 11.9% more per capita than Raleigh ($1,882/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
Phoenix, AZ
Pop. 1,609,456
B
67/100
Budget Balance93
Debt Burden45
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Raleigh
Phoenix
Total Spending
$6.5B
$25.4B
Spending / Capita
$13,911
$15,793
Total Revenue
$13.9B
$81.6B
Revenue / Capita
$29,940
$50,709
Total Debt
$421.6M
$1.9B
Debt / Capita
$906
$1,156
Population
465,517
1,609,456
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Raleigh$277
Phoenix$170
Highways & Roads
Raleigh$448
Phoenix$86
Parks & Recreation
Raleigh$1,391
Phoenix$652
Education
Raleigh$6
Phoenix$214
Health
Raleigh$0
Phoenix$258

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

RaleighPhoenix
Property Tax
$0
$7
Sales Tax
$858
$338
Income Tax
$806
$1,260
Intergovernmental
$14,128
$50,709
Charges & Fees
$2,681
$2,998
Other
$4,740
$2,038

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

RaleighPhoenix
Fire Protection
$277
$170
Highways & Roads
$448
$86
Education
$6
$214
Public Welfare
$498
$507
Health
$0
$258
Hospitals
$669
$1,521
Parks & Recreation
$1,391
$652
Housing
$2,712
$3,879
Sewerage
$281
$388
Utilities
$2,469
$2,480
Interest on Debt
$1,513
$1,760
Other
$3,646
$3,878
B
Raleigh, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 76/100
Good fiscal health
B
Phoenix, AZ
Fiscal Health Score: 67/100
Good fiscal health

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