Memphis, TN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Memphis, TN and Austin, TX spend within 1.6% of each other per resident — $22,111 versus $21,772 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Austin, TX holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 75/100 (grade B) against 65/100 (grade B) for Memphis, TN — a 10-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, Memphis, TN carries the lighter load at $303 per resident versus $1,229 for Austin, TX. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: parks and recreation leads in Memphis, TN at $1,397 per resident and in Austin, TX at $1,801.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 100% of total revenue in Memphis, TN and 18% in Austin, TX.
Summary
Memphis spends 1.6% more per capita than Austin ($339/person difference). Austin, TX has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 75/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $10 | $0 |
| Sales Tax | $496 | $526 |
| Income Tax | $1,218 | $1,465 |
| Intergovernmental | $34,065 | $14,031 |
| Charges & Fees | $2,077 | $3,247 |
| Other | $3,994 | $5,645 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $469 | $634 |
| Highways & Roads | $277 | $0 |
| Education | $0 | $51 |
| Public Welfare | $630 | $1,837 |
| Health | $391 | $517 |
| Hospitals | $1,677 | $664 |
| Parks & Recreation | $1,397 | $1,801 |
| Housing | $4,683 | $3,741 |
| Sewerage | $0 | $865 |
| Utilities | $2,578 | $3,264 |
| Interest on Debt | $1,158 | $0 |
| Other | $8,850 | $8,399 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.