Charlotte, NC vs Tucson, AZ
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Charlotte, NC and Tucson, AZ spend within 0.6% of each other per resident — $15,854 versus $15,759 — 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 55/100 (grade C) for Tucson, AZ — a 8-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, Tucson, AZ carries the lighter load at $1,540 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 Tucson, AZ at $1,229.
They also fund themselves differently: other revenue is the largest single revenue source in Charlotte, NC at 10% of total revenue, whereas Tucson, AZ relies most on intergovernmental transfers at 100%.
Summary
Charlotte spends 0.6% more per capita than Tucson ($95/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 | $5 |
| Sales Tax | $541 | $309 |
| Income Tax | $366 | $1,107 |
| Intergovernmental | $1,859 | $23,276 |
| Charges & Fees | $2,459 | $4,534 |
| Other | $4,866 | $952 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $463 | $330 |
| Highways & Roads | $41 | $0 |
| Public Welfare | $672 | $1,181 |
| Hospitals | $1,243 | $1,314 |
| Parks & Recreation | $1,571 | $1,229 |
| Housing | $3,944 | $3,091 |
| Utilities | $2,244 | $3,555 |
| Interest on Debt | $2,226 | $1,735 |
| Other | $3,448 | $3,322 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.