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

Atlanta, GA vs Memphis, TN

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

Summary

Atlanta spends 15.1% more per capita than Memphis ($3,346/person difference). Atlanta, GA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 85/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Atlanta, GA
Pop. 494,838
A
85/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency64
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Memphis, TN
Pop. 630,027
B
65/100
Budget Balance52
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency79
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Atlanta
Memphis
Total Spending
$12.6B
$13.9B
Spending / Capita
$25,457
$22,111
Total Revenue
$77.6B
$21.5B
Revenue / Capita
$156,803
$34,065
Total Debt
$0
$191.2M
Debt / Capita
$0
$303
Population
494,838
630,027
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Atlanta$315
Memphis$0
Fire Protection
Atlanta$464
Memphis$469
Highways & Roads
Atlanta$513
Memphis$277
Parks & Recreation
Atlanta$1,274
Memphis$1,397
Education
Atlanta$25
Memphis$0
Health
Atlanta$0
Memphis$391

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

AtlantaMemphis
Property Tax
$419
$10
Sales Tax
$0
$496
Income Tax
$1,292
$1,218
Intergovernmental
$9,121
$34,065
Charges & Fees
$5,645
$2,077
Other
$5,461
$3,994

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

AtlantaMemphis
Police
$315
$0
Fire Protection
$464
$469
Highways & Roads
$513
$277
Education
$25
$0
Public Welfare
$1,587
$630
Health
$0
$391
Hospitals
$55
$1,677
Parks & Recreation
$1,274
$1,397
Housing
$4,594
$4,683
Sewerage
$343
$0
Utilities
$8,026
$2,578
Interest on Debt
$0
$1,158
Other
$8,262
$8,850
A
Atlanta, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 85/100
Excellent fiscal health
B
Memphis, TN
Fiscal Health Score: 65/100
Good fiscal health

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