Cary, NC vs High Point, NC
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Cary, NC and High Point, NC spend within 0.1% of each other per resident — $16,057 versus $16,038 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Cary, NC holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 70/100 (grade B) against 51/100 (grade C) for High Point, NC — a 19-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, Cary, NC carries the lighter load at $582 per resident versus $1,152 for High Point, NC. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: parks and recreation leads in Cary, NC at $1,581 per resident and in High Point, NC at $1,139.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 100% of total revenue in Cary, NC and 100% in High Point, NC.
Summary
Cary spends 0.1% more per capita than High Point ($19/person difference). Cary, NC has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 70/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $0 | $27 |
| Sales Tax | $493 | $370 |
| Income Tax | $801 | $1,303 |
| Intergovernmental | $26,541 | $26,879 |
| Charges & Fees | $1,981 | $1,954 |
| Other | $3,182 | $3,948 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $353 | $74 |
| Highways & Roads | $0 | $180 |
| Education | $0 | $29 |
| Public Welfare | $58 | $1,075 |
| Health | $0 | $487 |
| Hospitals | $322 | $1,098 |
| Parks & Recreation | $1,581 | $1,139 |
| Housing | $1,880 | $3,049 |
| Sewerage | $338 | $0 |
| Utilities | $3,759 | $2,301 |
| Interest on Debt | $733 | $327 |
| Other | $7,034 | $6,278 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.