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

Charlotte, NC vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Summary

Philadelphia spends 71.8% more per capita than Charlotte ($40,418/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
Philadelphia, PA
Pop. 1,593,208
D
45/100
Budget Balance17
Debt Burden53
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Charlotte
Philadelphia
Total Spending
$13.9B
$89.7B
Spending / Capita
$15,854
$56,272
Total Revenue
$43.5B
$64.4B
Revenue / Capita
$49,746
$40,425
Total Debt
$2.4B
$1.7B
Debt / Capita
$2,690
$1,069
Population
875,045
1,593,208
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Charlotte$0
Philadelphia$1,505
Fire Protection
Charlotte$463
Philadelphia$7,082
Highways & Roads
Charlotte$41
Philadelphia$1,215
Parks & Recreation
Charlotte$1,571
Philadelphia$593
Health
Charlotte$0
Philadelphia$229

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

CharlottePhiladelphia
Sales Tax
$541
$107
Income Tax
$366
$8
Intergovernmental
$1,859
$6,288
Charges & Fees
$2,459
$2,790
Other
$4,866
$4,029

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

CharlottePhiladelphia
Police
$0
$1,505
Fire Protection
$463
$7,082
Highways & Roads
$41
$1,215
Public Welfare
$672
$1,456
Health
$0
$229
Hospitals
$1,243
$4,048
Parks & Recreation
$1,571
$593
Housing
$3,944
$4,902
Sewerage
$0
$325
Utilities
$2,244
$4,222
Interest on Debt
$2,226
$3
Other
$3,448
$30,692
C
Charlotte, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 63/100
Average fiscal health
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health

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