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

Charlotte, NC vs Oakland, CA

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

Summary

Oakland spends 47.3% more per capita than Charlotte ($14,201/person difference). Oakland, CA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 72/100).

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
Oakland, CA
Pop. 437,825
B
72/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency43
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Charlotte
Oakland
Total Spending
$13.9B
$13.2B
Spending / Capita
$15,854
$30,055
Total Revenue
$43.5B
$18.5B
Revenue / Capita
$49,746
$42,277
Total Debt
$2.4B
$0
Debt / Capita
$2,690
$0
Population
875,045
437,825
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Charlotte$463
Oakland$1
Highways & Roads
Charlotte$41
Oakland$0
Parks & Recreation
Charlotte$1,571
Oakland$955
Health
Charlotte$0
Oakland$1,016

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

CharlotteOakland
Sales Tax
$541
$522
Income Tax
$366
$0
Intergovernmental
$1,859
$42,277
Charges & Fees
$2,459
$0
Other
$4,866
$4,337

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

CharlotteOakland
Fire Protection
$463
$1
Highways & Roads
$41
$0
Public Welfare
$672
$2,426
Health
$0
$1,016
Hospitals
$1,243
$2,498
Parks & Recreation
$1,571
$955
Housing
$3,944
$7,811
Sewerage
$0
$1,417
Utilities
$2,244
$0
Interest on Debt
$2,226
$0
Other
$3,448
$13,929
C
Charlotte, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 63/100
Average fiscal health
B
Oakland, CA
Fiscal Health Score: 72/100
Good fiscal health

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