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

Columbus, OH vs Charlotte, NC

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

Summary

Columbus spends 19.0% more per capita than Charlotte ($3,005/person difference). Charlotte, NC has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 63/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Columbus, OH
Pop. 902,449
C
52/100
Budget Balance32
Debt Burden46
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency94
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Charlotte, NC
Pop. 875,045
C
63/100
Budget Balance71
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Columbus
Charlotte
Total Spending
$17.0B
$13.9B
Spending / Capita
$18,858
$15,854
Total Revenue
$0
$43.5B
Revenue / Capita
$0
$49,746
Total Debt
$1.0B
$2.4B
Debt / Capita
$1,145
$2,690
Population
902,449
875,045
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Columbus$1,016
Charlotte$463
Highways & Roads
Columbus$224
Charlotte$41
Parks & Recreation
Columbus$2,168
Charlotte$1,571

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbusCharlotte
Property Tax
$10
$0
Sales Tax
$234
$541
Income Tax
$1
$366
Intergovernmental
$0
$1,859
Charges & Fees
$2,389
$2,459
Other
$5,248
$4,866

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbusCharlotte
Fire Protection
$1,016
$463
Highways & Roads
$224
$41
Public Welfare
$878
$672
Hospitals
$953
$1,243
Parks & Recreation
$2,168
$1,571
Housing
$4,303
$3,944
Sewerage
$1
$0
Utilities
$1,719
$2,244
Interest on Debt
$0
$2,226
Other
$7,595
$3,448
C
Columbus, OH
Fiscal Health Score: 52/100
Average fiscal health
C
Charlotte, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 63/100
Average fiscal health

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