High Point, NC vs Charlotte, NC
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
High Point, NC and Charlotte, NC spend within 1.2% of each other per resident — $16,038 versus $15,854 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Charlotte, NC holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 63/100 (grade C) against 51/100 (grade C) for High Point, NC — a 12-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, High Point, NC carries the lighter load at $1,152 per resident versus $2,690 for Charlotte, 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 Charlotte, NC at $1,571.
They also fund themselves differently: intergovernmental transfers is the largest single revenue source in High Point, NC at 100% of total revenue, whereas Charlotte, NC relies most on other revenue at 10%.
Summary
High Point spends 1.2% more per capita than Charlotte ($185/person difference). Charlotte, NC has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 63/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $27 | $0 |
| Sales Tax | $370 | $541 |
| Income Tax | $1,303 | $366 |
| Intergovernmental | $26,879 | $1,859 |
| Charges & Fees | $1,954 | $2,459 |
| Other | $3,948 | $4,866 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $74 | $463 |
| Highways & Roads | $180 | $41 |
| Education | $29 | $0 |
| Public Welfare | $1,075 | $672 |
| Health | $487 | $0 |
| Hospitals | $1,098 | $1,243 |
| Parks & Recreation | $1,139 | $1,571 |
| Housing | $3,049 | $3,944 |
| Utilities | $2,301 | $2,244 |
| Interest on Debt | $327 | $2,226 |
| Other | $6,278 | $3,448 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.