Raleigh, NC vs Phoenix, AZ
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Phoenix, AZ and Raleigh, NC spend within 13.5% of each other per resident — $15,793 versus $13,911 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Raleigh, NC holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 76/100 (grade B) against 67/100 (grade B) for Phoenix, AZ — a 9-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, Raleigh, NC carries the lighter load at $906 per resident versus $1,156 for Phoenix, AZ. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: parks and recreation leads in Raleigh, NC at $1,391 per resident and in Phoenix, AZ at $652.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 47% of total revenue in Raleigh, NC and 100% in Phoenix, AZ.
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
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| 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)
| 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 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.