Austin, TX vs Memphis, TN
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Memphis, TN and Austin, TX spend within 1.6% of each other per resident — $22,111 versus $21,772 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Austin, TX holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 75/100 (grade B) against 65/100 (grade B) for Memphis, TN — a 10-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, Memphis, TN carries the lighter load at $303 per resident versus $1,229 for Austin, TX. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: parks and recreation leads in Austin, TX at $1,801 per resident and in Memphis, TN at $1,397.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 18% of total revenue in Austin, TX and 100% in Memphis, TN.
Summary
Memphis spends 1.5% more per capita than Austin ($339/person difference). Austin, TX has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 75/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $0 | $10 |
| Sales Tax | $526 | $496 |
| Income Tax | $1,465 | $1,218 |
| Intergovernmental | $14,031 | $34,065 |
| Charges & Fees | $3,247 | $2,077 |
| Other | $5,645 | $3,994 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $634 | $469 |
| Highways & Roads | $0 | $277 |
| Education | $51 | $0 |
| Public Welfare | $1,837 | $630 |
| Health | $517 | $391 |
| Hospitals | $664 | $1,677 |
| Parks & Recreation | $1,801 | $1,397 |
| Housing | $3,741 | $4,683 |
| Sewerage | $865 | $0 |
| Utilities | $3,264 | $2,578 |
| Interest on Debt | $0 | $1,158 |
| Other | $8,399 | $8,850 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.