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

Charlotte, NC vs Durham, NC

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

Summary

Durham spends 49.3% more per capita than Charlotte ($15,411/person difference). Durham, NC has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 66/100).

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
Durham, NC
Pop. 284,094
B
66/100
Budget Balance43
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency37
Revenue Diversity95
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Charlotte
Durham
Total Spending
$13.9B
$8.9B
Spending / Capita
$15,854
$31,264
Total Revenue
$43.5B
$4.9B
Revenue / Capita
$49,746
$17,235
Total Debt
$2.4B
$0
Debt / Capita
$2,690
$0
Population
875,045
284,094
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Charlotte$0
Durham$921
Fire Protection
Charlotte$463
Durham$682
Highways & Roads
Charlotte$41
Durham$461
Parks & Recreation
Charlotte$1,571
Durham$0
Education
Charlotte$0
Durham$17,100
Health
Charlotte$0
Durham$517

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

CharlotteDurham
Sales Tax
$541
$0
Income Tax
$366
$164
Intergovernmental
$1,859
$6,775
Charges & Fees
$2,459
$0
Other
$4,866
$924

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

CharlotteDurham
Police
$0
$921
Fire Protection
$463
$682
Highways & Roads
$41
$461
Education
$0
$17,100
Public Welfare
$672
$0
Health
$0
$517
Hospitals
$1,243
$159
Parks & Recreation
$1,571
$0
Housing
$3,944
$1,169
Utilities
$2,244
$2,350
Interest on Debt
$2,226
$32
General Admin
$0
$43
Other
$3,448
$7,830
C
Charlotte, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 63/100
Average fiscal health
B
Durham, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 66/100
Good fiscal health

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