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

Atlanta, GA vs Charlotte, NC

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

Summary

Atlanta spends 60.6% more per capita than Charlotte ($9,604/person difference). Atlanta, GA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 85/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Atlanta, GA
Pop. 494,838
A
85/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency64
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Charlotte, NC
Pop. 875,045
C
63/100
Budget Balance71
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Atlanta
Charlotte
Total Spending
$12.6B
$13.9B
Spending / Capita
$25,457
$15,854
Total Revenue
$77.6B
$43.5B
Revenue / Capita
$156,803
$49,746
Total Debt
$0
$2.4B
Debt / Capita
$0
$2,690
Population
494,838
875,045
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Atlanta$315
Charlotte$0
Fire Protection
Atlanta$464
Charlotte$463
Highways & Roads
Atlanta$513
Charlotte$41
Parks & Recreation
Atlanta$1,274
Charlotte$1,571
Education
Atlanta$25
Charlotte$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

AtlantaCharlotte
Property Tax
$419
$0
Sales Tax
$0
$541
Income Tax
$1,292
$366
Intergovernmental
$9,121
$1,859
Charges & Fees
$5,645
$2,459
Other
$5,461
$4,866

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

AtlantaCharlotte
Police
$315
$0
Fire Protection
$464
$463
Highways & Roads
$513
$41
Education
$25
$0
Public Welfare
$1,587
$672
Hospitals
$55
$1,243
Parks & Recreation
$1,274
$1,571
Housing
$4,594
$3,944
Sewerage
$343
$0
Utilities
$8,026
$2,244
Interest on Debt
$0
$2,226
Other
$8,262
$3,448
A
Atlanta, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 85/100
Excellent fiscal health
C
Charlotte, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 63/100
Average fiscal health

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