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

Boston, MA vs Memphis, TN

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

Summary

Boston spends 227.0% more per capita than Memphis ($50,188/person difference). Memphis, TN has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 65/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Boston, MA
Pop. 665,945
C
56/100
Budget Balance25
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
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
Boston
Memphis
Total Spending
$48.1B
$13.9B
Spending / Capita
$72,299
$22,111
Total Revenue
$20.8B
$21.5B
Revenue / Capita
$31,243
$34,065
Total Debt
$296.3M
$191.2M
Debt / Capita
$445
$303
Population
665,945
630,027
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Boston$1,107
Memphis$469
Highways & Roads
Boston$594
Memphis$277
Parks & Recreation
Boston$711
Memphis$1,397
Education
Boston$30,742
Memphis$0
Health
Boston$725
Memphis$391

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

BostonMemphis
Property Tax
$0
$10
Sales Tax
$78
$496
Income Tax
$0
$1,218
Intergovernmental
$5,357
$34,065
Charges & Fees
$2,784
$2,077
Other
$4,557
$3,994

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

BostonMemphis
Fire Protection
$1,107
$469
Highways & Roads
$594
$277
Education
$30,742
$0
Public Welfare
$1,110
$630
Health
$725
$391
Hospitals
$2,584
$1,677
Parks & Recreation
$711
$1,397
Housing
$6,614
$4,683
Sewerage
$355
$0
Utilities
$3,402
$2,578
Interest on Debt
$0
$1,158
General Admin
$5,401
$0
Other
$18,955
$8,850
C
Boston, MA
Fiscal Health Score: 56/100
Average fiscal health
B
Memphis, TN
Fiscal Health Score: 65/100
Good fiscal health

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