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

Washington, DC vs Charlotte, NC

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

Summary

Washington spends 1434.9% more per capita than Charlotte ($227,487/person difference). Charlotte, NC has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 63/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Washington, DC
Pop. 670,587
D
41/100
Budget Balance45
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
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
Washington
Charlotte
Total Spending
$163.2B
$13.9B
Spending / Capita
$243,341
$15,854
Total Revenue
$186.2B
$43.5B
Revenue / Capita
$277,701
$49,746
Total Debt
$1.7B
$2.4B
Debt / Capita
$2,516
$2,690
Population
670,587
875,045
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Washington$4,183
Charlotte$0
Fire Protection
Washington$4,262
Charlotte$463
Highways & Roads
Washington$1,435
Charlotte$41
Parks & Recreation
Washington$5,459
Charlotte$1,571
Education
Washington$53,224
Charlotte$0
Health
Washington$1,009
Charlotte$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

WashingtonCharlotte
Property Tax
$25
$0
Sales Tax
$991
$541
Income Tax
$141
$366
Intergovernmental
$18,754
$1,859
Charges & Fees
$4,070
$2,459
Other
$11,518
$4,866

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

WashingtonCharlotte
Police
$4,183
$0
Fire Protection
$4,262
$463
Highways & Roads
$1,435
$41
Education
$53,224
$0
Public Welfare
$2,498
$672
Health
$1,009
$0
Hospitals
$17,668
$1,243
Parks & Recreation
$5,459
$1,571
Housing
$10,296
$3,944
Sewerage
$2,881
$0
Utilities
$88,990
$2,244
Interest on Debt
$58
$2,226
General Admin
$3,225
$0
Other
$48,155
$3,448
D
Washington, DC
Fiscal Health Score: 41/100
Below average fiscal health
C
Charlotte, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 63/100
Average fiscal health

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