Charlotte, NC vs San Jose, CA
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
San Jose, CA and Charlotte, NC spend within 13.1% of each other per resident — $17,934 versus $15,854 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
San Jose, CA holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 90/100 (grade A) against 63/100 (grade C) for Charlotte, NC — a 27-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
San Jose, CA reports no outstanding debt per resident in its Census filing, while Charlotte, NC carries $2,690 per resident. 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 San Jose, CA at $1,424.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on other revenue — 10% of total revenue in Charlotte, NC and 9% in San Jose, CA.
Summary
San Jose spends 11.6% more per capita than Charlotte ($2,081/person difference). San Jose, CA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 90/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $0 | $40 |
| Sales Tax | $541 | $315 |
| Income Tax | $366 | $1,935 |
| Intergovernmental | $1,859 | $2,680 |
| Charges & Fees | $2,459 | $608 |
| Other | $4,866 | $3,519 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $463 | $0 |
| Highways & Roads | $41 | $0 |
| Public Welfare | $672 | $810 |
| Health | $0 | $609 |
| Hospitals | $1,243 | $1,254 |
| Parks & Recreation | $1,571 | $1,424 |
| Housing | $3,944 | $4,897 |
| Sewerage | $0 | $161 |
| Utilities | $2,244 | $2,533 |
| Interest on Debt | $2,226 | $0 |
| Other | $3,448 | $6,247 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.