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

Cary, NC vs Charlotte, NC

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

Summary

Cary spends 1.3% more per capita than Charlotte ($204/person difference). Cary, NC has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 70/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Cary, NC
Pop. 174,880
B
70/100
Budget Balance86
Debt Burden80
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency85
Revenue Diversity0
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
Cary
Charlotte
Total Spending
$2.8B
$13.9B
Spending / Capita
$16,057
$15,854
Total Revenue
$4.6B
$43.5B
Revenue / Capita
$26,541
$49,746
Total Debt
$101.8M
$2.4B
Debt / Capita
$582
$2,690
Population
174,880
875,045
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Cary$353
Charlotte$463
Highways & Roads
Cary$0
Charlotte$41
Parks & Recreation
Cary$1,581
Charlotte$1,571

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

CaryCharlotte
Sales Tax
$493
$541
Income Tax
$801
$366
Intergovernmental
$26,541
$1,859
Charges & Fees
$1,981
$2,459
Other
$3,182
$4,866

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

CaryCharlotte
Fire Protection
$353
$463
Highways & Roads
$0
$41
Public Welfare
$58
$672
Hospitals
$322
$1,243
Parks & Recreation
$1,581
$1,571
Housing
$1,880
$3,944
Sewerage
$338
$0
Utilities
$3,759
$2,244
Interest on Debt
$733
$2,226
Other
$7,034
$3,448
B
Cary, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 70/100
Good fiscal health
C
Charlotte, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 63/100
Average fiscal health

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