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

Charlotte, NC vs Chicago, IL

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

Summary

Chicago spends 54.1% more per capita than Charlotte ($18,698/person difference). Charlotte, NC has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 63/100).

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
Chicago, IL
Pop. 2,721,914
C
61/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden61
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency22
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Charlotte
Chicago
Total Spending
$13.9B
$94.0B
Spending / Capita
$15,854
$34,551
Total Revenue
$43.5B
$231.6B
Revenue / Capita
$49,746
$85,083
Total Debt
$2.4B
$2.7B
Debt / Capita
$2,690
$977
Population
875,045
2,721,914
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Charlotte$463
Chicago$10,754
Highways & Roads
Charlotte$41
Chicago$930
Parks & Recreation
Charlotte$1,571
Chicago$122
Health
Charlotte$0
Chicago$426

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

CharlotteChicago
Property Tax
$0
$26
Sales Tax
$541
$74
Income Tax
$366
$229
Intergovernmental
$1,859
$85,083
Charges & Fees
$2,459
$2,847
Other
$4,866
$3,463

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

CharlotteChicago
Fire Protection
$463
$10,754
Highways & Roads
$41
$930
Public Welfare
$672
$1,858
Health
$0
$426
Hospitals
$1,243
$1,444
Parks & Recreation
$1,571
$122
Housing
$3,944
$6,520
Sewerage
$0
$129
Utilities
$2,244
$2,983
Interest on Debt
$2,226
$0
Other
$3,448
$9,385
C
Charlotte, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 63/100
Average fiscal health
C
Chicago, IL
Fiscal Health Score: 61/100
Average fiscal health

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