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

Memphis, TN vs Atlanta, GA

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

Summary

Atlanta spends 13.1% more per capita than Memphis ($3,346/person difference). Atlanta, GA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 85/100).

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
Atlanta, GA
Pop. 494,838
A
85/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency64
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Memphis
Atlanta
Total Spending
$13.9B
$12.6B
Spending / Capita
$22,111
$25,457
Total Revenue
$21.5B
$77.6B
Revenue / Capita
$34,065
$156,803
Total Debt
$191.2M
$0
Debt / Capita
$303
$0
Population
630,027
494,838
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Memphis$0
Atlanta$315
Fire Protection
Memphis$469
Atlanta$464
Highways & Roads
Memphis$277
Atlanta$513
Parks & Recreation
Memphis$1,397
Atlanta$1,274
Education
Memphis$0
Atlanta$25
Health
Memphis$391
Atlanta$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MemphisAtlanta
Property Tax
$10
$419
Sales Tax
$496
$0
Income Tax
$1,218
$1,292
Intergovernmental
$34,065
$9,121
Charges & Fees
$2,077
$5,645
Other
$3,994
$5,461

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

MemphisAtlanta
Police
$0
$315
Fire Protection
$469
$464
Highways & Roads
$277
$513
Education
$0
$25
Public Welfare
$630
$1,587
Health
$391
$0
Hospitals
$1,677
$55
Parks & Recreation
$1,397
$1,274
Housing
$4,683
$4,594
Sewerage
$0
$343
Utilities
$2,578
$8,026
Interest on Debt
$1,158
$0
Other
$8,850
$8,262
B
Memphis, TN
Fiscal Health Score: 65/100
Good fiscal health
A
Atlanta, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 85/100
Excellent fiscal health

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