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

Charlotte, NC vs Memphis, TN

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

Summary

Memphis spends 28.3% more per capita than Charlotte ($6,257/person difference). Memphis, TN has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 65/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Charlotte, NC
Pop. 875,045
C
63/100
Budget Balance71
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
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
Charlotte
Memphis
Total Spending
$13.9B
$13.9B
Spending / Capita
$15,854
$22,111
Total Revenue
$43.5B
$21.5B
Revenue / Capita
$49,746
$34,065
Total Debt
$2.4B
$191.2M
Debt / Capita
$2,690
$303
Population
875,045
630,027
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Charlotte$463
Memphis$469
Highways & Roads
Charlotte$41
Memphis$277
Parks & Recreation
Charlotte$1,571
Memphis$1,397
Health
Charlotte$0
Memphis$391

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

CharlotteMemphis
Property Tax
$0
$10
Sales Tax
$541
$496
Income Tax
$366
$1,218
Intergovernmental
$1,859
$34,065
Charges & Fees
$2,459
$2,077
Other
$4,866
$3,994

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

CharlotteMemphis
Fire Protection
$463
$469
Highways & Roads
$41
$277
Public Welfare
$672
$630
Health
$0
$391
Hospitals
$1,243
$1,677
Parks & Recreation
$1,571
$1,397
Housing
$3,944
$4,683
Utilities
$2,244
$2,578
Interest on Debt
$2,226
$1,158
Other
$3,448
$8,850
C
Charlotte, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 63/100
Average fiscal health
B
Memphis, TN
Fiscal Health Score: 65/100
Good fiscal health

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