Charlotte, NC vs High Point, NC
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
High Point, NC and Charlotte, NC spend within 1.2% of each other per resident — $16,038 versus $15,854 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Charlotte, NC holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 63/100 (grade C) against 51/100 (grade C) for High Point, NC — a 12-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, High Point, NC carries the lighter load at $1,152 per resident versus $2,690 for Charlotte, NC. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: parks and recreation leads in Charlotte, NC at $1,571 per resident and in High Point, NC at $1,139.
They also fund themselves differently: other revenue is the largest single revenue source in Charlotte, NC at 10% of total revenue, whereas High Point, NC relies most on intergovernmental transfers at 100%.
Summary
High Point spends 1.2% more per capita than Charlotte ($185/person difference). Charlotte, NC has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 63/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $0 | $27 |
| Sales Tax | $541 | $370 |
| Income Tax | $366 | $1,303 |
| Intergovernmental | $1,859 | $26,879 |
| Charges & Fees | $2,459 | $1,954 |
| Other | $4,866 | $3,948 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $463 | $74 |
| Highways & Roads | $41 | $180 |
| Education | $0 | $29 |
| Public Welfare | $672 | $1,075 |
| Health | $0 | $487 |
| Hospitals | $1,243 | $1,098 |
| Parks & Recreation | $1,571 | $1,139 |
| Housing | $3,944 | $3,049 |
| Utilities | $2,244 | $2,301 |
| Interest on Debt | $2,226 | $327 |
| Other | $3,448 | $6,278 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.