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

Charlotte, NC vs San Diego, CA

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

Summary

San Diego spends 63.4% more per capita than Charlotte ($27,453/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
San Diego, CA
Pop. 1,383,987
C
53/100
Budget Balance14
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity96
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Charlotte
San Diego
Total Spending
$13.9B
$59.9B
Spending / Capita
$15,854
$43,306
Total Revenue
$43.5B
$13.4B
Revenue / Capita
$49,746
$9,662
Total Debt
$2.4B
$0
Debt / Capita
$2,690
$0
Population
875,045
1,383,987
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Charlotte$0
San Diego$3,335
Fire Protection
Charlotte$463
San Diego$1,278
Highways & Roads
Charlotte$41
San Diego$1,408
Parks & Recreation
Charlotte$1,571
San Diego$436
Education
Charlotte$0
San Diego$2,005
Health
Charlotte$0
San Diego$411

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

CharlotteSan Diego
Property Tax
$0
$124
Sales Tax
$541
$63
Income Tax
$366
$194
Intergovernmental
$1,859
$57
Charges & Fees
$2,459
$14
Other
$4,866
$3,801

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

CharlotteSan Diego
Police
$0
$3,335
Fire Protection
$463
$1,278
Highways & Roads
$41
$1,408
Education
$0
$2,005
Public Welfare
$672
$700
Health
$0
$411
Hospitals
$1,243
$0
Parks & Recreation
$1,571
$436
Housing
$3,944
$4,476
Sewerage
$0
$43
Utilities
$2,244
$11,704
Interest on Debt
$2,226
$0
Other
$3,448
$17,509
C
Charlotte, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 63/100
Average fiscal health
C
San Diego, CA
Fiscal Health Score: 53/100
Average fiscal health

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