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

Charlotte, NC vs Washington, DC

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

Summary

Washington spends 93.5% more per capita than Charlotte ($227,487/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
Washington, DC
Pop. 670,587
D
41/100
Budget Balance45
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Charlotte
Washington
Total Spending
$13.9B
$163.2B
Spending / Capita
$15,854
$243,341
Total Revenue
$43.5B
$186.2B
Revenue / Capita
$49,746
$277,701
Total Debt
$2.4B
$1.7B
Debt / Capita
$2,690
$2,516
Population
875,045
670,587
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Charlotte$0
Washington$4,183
Fire Protection
Charlotte$463
Washington$4,262
Highways & Roads
Charlotte$41
Washington$1,435
Parks & Recreation
Charlotte$1,571
Washington$5,459
Education
Charlotte$0
Washington$53,224
Health
Charlotte$0
Washington$1,009

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

CharlotteWashington
Property Tax
$0
$25
Sales Tax
$541
$991
Income Tax
$366
$141
Intergovernmental
$1,859
$18,754
Charges & Fees
$2,459
$4,070
Other
$4,866
$11,518

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

CharlotteWashington
Police
$0
$4,183
Fire Protection
$463
$4,262
Highways & Roads
$41
$1,435
Education
$0
$53,224
Public Welfare
$672
$2,498
Health
$0
$1,009
Hospitals
$1,243
$17,668
Parks & Recreation
$1,571
$5,459
Housing
$3,944
$10,296
Sewerage
$0
$2,881
Utilities
$2,244
$88,990
Interest on Debt
$2,226
$58
General Admin
$0
$3,225
Other
$3,448
$48,155
C
Charlotte, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 63/100
Average fiscal health
D
Washington, DC
Fiscal Health Score: 41/100
Below average fiscal health

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