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

Durham, NC vs Charlotte, NC

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

Summary

Durham spends 97.2% more per capita than Charlotte ($15,411/person difference). Durham, NC has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 66/100).

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
Charlotte, NC
Pop. 875,045
C
63/100
Budget Balance71
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Durham
Charlotte
Total Spending
$8.9B
$13.9B
Spending / Capita
$31,264
$15,854
Total Revenue
$4.9B
$43.5B
Revenue / Capita
$17,235
$49,746
Total Debt
$0
$2.4B
Debt / Capita
$0
$2,690
Population
284,094
875,045
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Durham$921
Charlotte$0
Fire Protection
Durham$682
Charlotte$463
Highways & Roads
Durham$461
Charlotte$41
Parks & Recreation
Durham$0
Charlotte$1,571
Education
Durham$17,100
Charlotte$0
Health
Durham$517
Charlotte$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

DurhamCharlotte
Sales Tax
$0
$541
Income Tax
$164
$366
Intergovernmental
$6,775
$1,859
Charges & Fees
$0
$2,459
Other
$924
$4,866

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

DurhamCharlotte
Police
$921
$0
Fire Protection
$682
$463
Highways & Roads
$461
$41
Education
$17,100
$0
Public Welfare
$0
$672
Health
$517
$0
Hospitals
$159
$1,243
Parks & Recreation
$0
$1,571
Housing
$1,169
$3,944
Utilities
$2,350
$2,244
Interest on Debt
$32
$2,226
General Admin
$43
$0
Other
$7,830
$3,448
B
Durham, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 66/100
Good fiscal health
C
Charlotte, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 63/100
Average fiscal health

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