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

Chattanooga, TN vs Memphis, TN

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

Summary

Chattanooga spends 9.2% more per capita than Memphis ($2,039/person difference). Chattanooga, TN has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 78/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Chattanooga, TN
Pop. 181,288
B
78/100
Budget Balance90
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency37
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
Chattanooga
Memphis
Total Spending
$4.4B
$13.9B
Spending / Capita
$24,150
$22,111
Total Revenue
$7.0B
$21.5B
Revenue / Capita
$38,387
$34,065
Total Debt
$0
$191.2M
Debt / Capita
$0
$303
Population
181,288
630,027
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Chattanooga$1,061
Memphis$469
Highways & Roads
Chattanooga$212
Memphis$277
Parks & Recreation
Chattanooga$1,596
Memphis$1,397
Health
Chattanooga$436
Memphis$391

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ChattanoogaMemphis
Property Tax
$0
$10
Sales Tax
$82
$496
Income Tax
$301
$1,218
Intergovernmental
$597
$34,065
Charges & Fees
$0
$2,077
Other
$13,286
$3,994

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ChattanoogaMemphis
Fire Protection
$1,061
$469
Highways & Roads
$212
$277
Public Welfare
$895
$630
Health
$436
$391
Hospitals
$697
$1,677
Parks & Recreation
$1,596
$1,397
Housing
$4,908
$4,683
Sewerage
$175
$0
Utilities
$1,629
$2,578
Interest on Debt
$2,068
$1,158
Other
$10,474
$8,850
B
Chattanooga, TN
Fiscal Health Score: 78/100
Good fiscal health
B
Memphis, TN
Fiscal Health Score: 65/100
Good fiscal health

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