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

Durham, NC vs Cary, NC

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

Summary

Durham spends 94.7% more per capita than Cary ($15,207/person difference). Cary, NC has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 70/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Durham, NC
Pop. 284,094
B
66/100
Budget Balance43
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency37
Revenue Diversity95
Trend Direction50
City B
Cary, NC
Pop. 174,880
B
70/100
Budget Balance86
Debt Burden80
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency85
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Durham
Cary
Total Spending
$8.9B
$2.8B
Spending / Capita
$31,264
$16,057
Total Revenue
$4.9B
$4.6B
Revenue / Capita
$17,235
$26,541
Total Debt
$0
$101.8M
Debt / Capita
$0
$582
Population
284,094
174,880
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Durham$921
Cary$0
Fire Protection
Durham$682
Cary$353
Highways & Roads
Durham$461
Cary$0
Parks & Recreation
Durham$0
Cary$1,581
Education
Durham$17,100
Cary$0
Health
Durham$517
Cary$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

DurhamCary
Sales Tax
$0
$493
Income Tax
$164
$801
Intergovernmental
$6,775
$26,541
Charges & Fees
$0
$1,981
Other
$924
$3,182

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

DurhamCary
Police
$921
$0
Fire Protection
$682
$353
Highways & Roads
$461
$0
Education
$17,100
$0
Public Welfare
$0
$58
Health
$517
$0
Hospitals
$159
$322
Parks & Recreation
$0
$1,581
Housing
$1,169
$1,880
Sewerage
$0
$338
Utilities
$2,350
$3,759
Interest on Debt
$32
$733
General Admin
$43
$0
Other
$7,830
$7,034
B
Durham, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 66/100
Good fiscal health
B
Cary, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 70/100
Good fiscal health

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