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

Columbus, OH vs Memphis, TN

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

Summary

Memphis spends 14.7% more per capita than Columbus ($3,253/person difference). Memphis, TN has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 65/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Columbus, OH
Pop. 902,449
C
52/100
Budget Balance32
Debt Burden46
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency94
Revenue Diversity0
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
Columbus
Memphis
Total Spending
$17.0B
$13.9B
Spending / Capita
$18,858
$22,111
Total Revenue
$0
$21.5B
Revenue / Capita
$0
$34,065
Total Debt
$1.0B
$191.2M
Debt / Capita
$1,145
$303
Population
902,449
630,027
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Columbus$1,016
Memphis$469
Highways & Roads
Columbus$224
Memphis$277
Parks & Recreation
Columbus$2,168
Memphis$1,397
Health
Columbus$0
Memphis$391

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbusMemphis
Property Tax
$10
$10
Sales Tax
$234
$496
Income Tax
$1
$1,218
Intergovernmental
$0
$34,065
Charges & Fees
$2,389
$2,077
Other
$5,248
$3,994

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbusMemphis
Fire Protection
$1,016
$469
Highways & Roads
$224
$277
Public Welfare
$878
$630
Health
$0
$391
Hospitals
$953
$1,677
Parks & Recreation
$2,168
$1,397
Housing
$4,303
$4,683
Sewerage
$1
$0
Utilities
$1,719
$2,578
Interest on Debt
$0
$1,158
Other
$7,595
$8,850
C
Columbus, OH
Fiscal Health Score: 52/100
Average fiscal health
B
Memphis, TN
Fiscal Health Score: 65/100
Good fiscal health

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