High Point, NC vs Cary, NC
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Cary, NC and High Point, NC spend within 0.1% of each other per resident — $16,057 versus $16,038 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Cary, NC holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 70/100 (grade B) against 51/100 (grade C) for High Point, NC — a 19-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, Cary, NC carries the lighter load at $582 per resident versus $1,152 for High Point, NC. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: parks and recreation leads in High Point, NC at $1,139 per resident and in Cary, NC at $1,581.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 100% of total revenue in High Point, NC and 100% in Cary, NC.
Summary
Cary spends 0.1% more per capita than High Point ($19/person difference). Cary, NC has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 70/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $27 | $0 |
| Sales Tax | $370 | $493 |
| Income Tax | $1,303 | $801 |
| Intergovernmental | $26,879 | $26,541 |
| Charges & Fees | $1,954 | $1,981 |
| Other | $3,948 | $3,182 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $74 | $353 |
| Highways & Roads | $180 | $0 |
| Education | $29 | $0 |
| Public Welfare | $1,075 | $58 |
| Health | $487 | $0 |
| Hospitals | $1,098 | $322 |
| Parks & Recreation | $1,139 | $1,581 |
| Housing | $3,049 | $1,880 |
| Sewerage | $0 | $338 |
| Utilities | $2,301 | $3,759 |
| Interest on Debt | $327 | $733 |
| Other | $6,278 | $7,034 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.