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

Cary, NC vs Durham, NC

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

Summary

Durham spends 48.6% more per capita than Cary ($15,207/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
Durham, NC
Pop. 284,094
B
66/100
Budget Balance43
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency37
Revenue Diversity95
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Cary
Durham
Total Spending
$2.8B
$8.9B
Spending / Capita
$16,057
$31,264
Total Revenue
$4.6B
$4.9B
Revenue / Capita
$26,541
$17,235
Total Debt
$101.8M
$0
Debt / Capita
$582
$0
Population
174,880
284,094
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Cary$0
Durham$921
Fire Protection
Cary$353
Durham$682
Highways & Roads
Cary$0
Durham$461
Parks & Recreation
Cary$1,581
Durham$0
Education
Cary$0
Durham$17,100
Health
Cary$0
Durham$517

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

CaryDurham
Sales Tax
$493
$0
Income Tax
$801
$164
Intergovernmental
$26,541
$6,775
Charges & Fees
$1,981
$0
Other
$3,182
$924

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

CaryDurham
Police
$0
$921
Fire Protection
$353
$682
Highways & Roads
$0
$461
Education
$0
$17,100
Public Welfare
$58
$0
Health
$0
$517
Hospitals
$322
$159
Parks & Recreation
$1,581
$0
Housing
$1,880
$1,169
Sewerage
$338
$0
Utilities
$3,759
$2,350
Interest on Debt
$733
$32
General Admin
$0
$43
Other
$7,034
$7,830
B
Cary, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 70/100
Good fiscal health
B
Durham, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 66/100
Good fiscal health

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