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

Charlotte, NC vs Austin, TX

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

Summary

Austin spends 27.2% more per capita than Charlotte ($5,918/person difference). Austin, TX has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 75/100).

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
Austin, TX
Pop. 958,202
B
75/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden38
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency80
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Charlotte
Austin
Total Spending
$13.9B
$20.9B
Spending / Capita
$15,854
$21,772
Total Revenue
$43.5B
$74.4B
Revenue / Capita
$49,746
$77,600
Total Debt
$2.4B
$1.2B
Debt / Capita
$2,690
$1,229
Population
875,045
958,202
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Charlotte$463
Austin$634
Highways & Roads
Charlotte$41
Austin$0
Parks & Recreation
Charlotte$1,571
Austin$1,801
Education
Charlotte$0
Austin$51
Health
Charlotte$0
Austin$517

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

CharlotteAustin
Sales Tax
$541
$526
Income Tax
$366
$1,465
Intergovernmental
$1,859
$14,031
Charges & Fees
$2,459
$3,247
Other
$4,866
$5,645

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

CharlotteAustin
Fire Protection
$463
$634
Highways & Roads
$41
$0
Education
$0
$51
Public Welfare
$672
$1,837
Health
$0
$517
Hospitals
$1,243
$664
Parks & Recreation
$1,571
$1,801
Housing
$3,944
$3,741
Sewerage
$0
$865
Utilities
$2,244
$3,264
Interest on Debt
$2,226
$0
Other
$3,448
$8,399
C
Charlotte, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 63/100
Average fiscal health
B
Austin, TX
Fiscal Health Score: 75/100
Good fiscal health

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