North Carolina’s budget increased cumulatively more than the maximum rate of population growth plus inflation in state funds and all funds from 2016-25, meaning taxes are higher than the average taxpayer can afford. 

  • The 2025 state funds budget is $7.0 billion higher than it would have had spending grown at the rate of population growth plus inflation over the past decade.
  • Because the state funds budget grew faster than population growth plus inflation for the last ten years, the state spent $16.9 billion too much.
  • The 2025 all funds budget is $20.2 billion higher than it would have been had spending grown at the rate of population growth plus inflation over the past decade.
  • Because the all funds budget grew faster than population growth plus inflation over the past decade, the state spent $72.6 billion too much.

State Funds Budget Data

  • Estimated FY 2026 Only State Funds Budget ($ Billions): $ 52.26
  • FY 2027 Only State Funds Budget Limit ($ Billions): $ 54.61
  • FY 2027 Only State Funds Budget Limit Growth (%): 4.49%
  • Cost per person of only state funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade in 2025 budget: $ 11,689
  • Cost per family of 4 of only state funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade in 2025 budget: $ 626
  • Cumulative cost per person of only state funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade from 2016-25: $ 1,506
  • Cumulative cost per family of 4 of only state funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade from 2016-25: $ 6,023

All Funds Budget Data

  • Estimated FY 2026 All Funds Budget ($ Billions): $ 86.75
  • FY 2027 All Funds Budget Limit ($ Billions): $ 90.64
  • FY 2027 All Funds Budget Limit Growth (%): 4.5%
  • Cost per person of all funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade in 2025 budget: $ 17,073
  • Cost per family of 4 of all funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade in 2025 budget: $ 1,806
  • Cumulative cost per person of all funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade from 2016-25: $ 6,483
  • Cumulative cost per family of 4 of all funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade from 2016-25: $ 25,934

Other Economic and Fiscal Considerations