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

Memphis, TN vs Boston, MA

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

Summary

Boston spends 69.4% more per capita than Memphis ($50,188/person difference). Memphis, TN has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 65/100).

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
Boston, MA
Pop. 665,945
C
56/100
Budget Balance25
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Memphis
Boston
Total Spending
$13.9B
$48.1B
Spending / Capita
$22,111
$72,299
Total Revenue
$21.5B
$20.8B
Revenue / Capita
$34,065
$31,243
Total Debt
$191.2M
$296.3M
Debt / Capita
$303
$445
Population
630,027
665,945
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Memphis$469
Boston$1,107
Highways & Roads
Memphis$277
Boston$594
Parks & Recreation
Memphis$1,397
Boston$711
Education
Memphis$0
Boston$30,742
Health
Memphis$391
Boston$725

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MemphisBoston
Property Tax
$10
$0
Sales Tax
$496
$78
Income Tax
$1,218
$0
Intergovernmental
$34,065
$5,357
Charges & Fees
$2,077
$2,784
Other
$3,994
$4,557

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

MemphisBoston
Fire Protection
$469
$1,107
Highways & Roads
$277
$594
Education
$0
$30,742
Public Welfare
$630
$1,110
Health
$391
$725
Hospitals
$1,677
$2,584
Parks & Recreation
$1,397
$711
Housing
$4,683
$6,614
Sewerage
$0
$355
Utilities
$2,578
$3,402
Interest on Debt
$1,158
$0
General Admin
$0
$5,401
Other
$8,850
$18,955
B
Memphis, TN
Fiscal Health Score: 65/100
Good fiscal health
C
Boston, MA
Fiscal Health Score: 56/100
Average fiscal health

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