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

Charlotte, NC vs Denver, CO

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

Summary

Denver spends 52.8% more per capita than Charlotte ($17,729/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
Denver, CO
Pop. 710,800
C
51/100
Budget Balance68
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency26
Revenue Diversity99
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Charlotte
Denver
Total Spending
$13.9B
$23.9B
Spending / Capita
$15,854
$33,582
Total Revenue
$43.5B
$86.8B
Revenue / Capita
$49,746
$122,063
Total Debt
$2.4B
$3.6B
Debt / Capita
$2,690
$5,126
Population
875,045
710,800
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Charlotte$0
Denver$2,455
Fire Protection
Charlotte$463
Denver$1,668
Highways & Roads
Charlotte$41
Denver$475
Parks & Recreation
Charlotte$1,571
Denver$3,319
Education
Charlotte$0
Denver$821
Health
Charlotte$0
Denver$693

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

CharlotteDenver
Sales Tax
$541
$2,070
Income Tax
$366
$236
Intergovernmental
$1,859
$44,661
Charges & Fees
$2,459
$5,207
Other
$4,866
$10,100

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

CharlotteDenver
Police
$0
$2,455
Fire Protection
$463
$1,668
Highways & Roads
$41
$475
Education
$0
$821
Public Welfare
$672
$764
Health
$0
$693
Hospitals
$1,243
$2,855
Parks & Recreation
$1,571
$3,319
Housing
$3,944
$3,565
Sewerage
$0
$293
Utilities
$2,244
$4,292
Interest on Debt
$2,226
$7
General Admin
$0
$364
Other
$3,448
$12,011
C
Charlotte, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 63/100
Average fiscal health
C
Denver, CO
Fiscal Health Score: 51/100
Average fiscal health

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