Jackson, TN vs Memphis, TN
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Memphis, TN outspends Jackson, TN by a wide margin per resident — $22,111 versus $3,221, a 587% difference. A gap this size usually reflects a structurally different service mix or accounting scope rather than a single line item.
Memphis, TN holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 65/100 (grade B) against 57/100 (grade C) for Jackson, TN — a 8-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
Jackson, TN reports no outstanding debt per resident in its Census filing, while Memphis, TN carries $303 per resident. Their budgets diverge on where the largest per-resident dollars go: Jackson, TN leads with education at $2,554 per resident, while Memphis, TN leads with parks and recreation at $1,397.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 100% of total revenue in Jackson, TN and 100% in Memphis, TN.
Summary
Memphis spends 85.4% more per capita than Jackson ($18,890/person difference). Memphis, TN has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 65/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $0 | $10 |
| Sales Tax | $0 | $496 |
| Income Tax | $0 | $1,218 |
| Intergovernmental | $280 | $34,065 |
| Charges & Fees | $0 | $2,077 |
| Other | $0 | $3,994 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Police | $235 | $0 |
| Fire Protection | $0 | $469 |
| Highways & Roads | $20 | $277 |
| Education | $2,554 | $0 |
| Public Welfare | $0 | $630 |
| Health | $10 | $391 |
| Hospitals | $0 | $1,677 |
| Parks & Recreation | $0 | $1,397 |
| Housing | $198 | $4,683 |
| Utilities | $112 | $2,578 |
| Interest on Debt | $0 | $1,158 |
| Other | $90 | $8,850 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.