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

Charlotte, NC vs Atlanta, GA

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

Summary

Atlanta spends 37.7% 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
Charlotte, NC
Pop. 875,045
C
63/100
Budget Balance71
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Atlanta, GA
Pop. 494,838
A
85/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency64
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

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

Per Capita Spending by Department

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

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

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