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

Memphis, TN vs Arlington, TX

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

Summary

Memphis spends 87.9% more per capita than Arlington ($10,342/person difference). Arlington, TX has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 83/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Memphis, TN
Pop. 630,027
B
65/100
Budget Balance52
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency79
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Arlington, TX
Pop. 393,469
A
83/100
Budget Balance78
Debt Burden96
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity89
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Memphis
Arlington
Total Spending
$13.9B
$4.6B
Spending / Capita
$22,111
$11,769
Total Revenue
$21.5B
$23.8B
Revenue / Capita
$34,065
$60,454
Total Debt
$191.2M
$233.8M
Debt / Capita
$303
$594
Population
630,027
393,469
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Memphis$469
Arlington$160
Highways & Roads
Memphis$277
Arlington$149
Parks & Recreation
Memphis$1,397
Arlington$1,352
Health
Memphis$391
Arlington$219

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MemphisArlington
Property Tax
$10
$0
Sales Tax
$496
$507
Income Tax
$1,218
$73
Intergovernmental
$34,065
$25,062
Charges & Fees
$2,077
$2,949
Other
$3,994
$3,897

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

MemphisArlington
Fire Protection
$469
$160
Highways & Roads
$277
$149
Public Welfare
$630
$826
Health
$391
$219
Hospitals
$1,677
$152
Parks & Recreation
$1,397
$1,352
Housing
$4,683
$2,981
Sewerage
$0
$141
Utilities
$2,578
$1,385
Interest on Debt
$1,158
$0
Other
$8,850
$4,404
B
Memphis, TN
Fiscal Health Score: 65/100
Good fiscal health
A
Arlington, TX
Fiscal Health Score: 83/100
Excellent fiscal health

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