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

Memphis, TN vs Charlotte, NC

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

Summary

Memphis spends 39.5% more per capita than Charlotte ($6,257/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
Charlotte, NC
Pop. 875,045
C
63/100
Budget Balance71
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Memphis
Charlotte
Total Spending
$13.9B
$13.9B
Spending / Capita
$22,111
$15,854
Total Revenue
$21.5B
$43.5B
Revenue / Capita
$34,065
$49,746
Total Debt
$191.2M
$2.4B
Debt / Capita
$303
$2,690
Population
630,027
875,045
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Memphis$469
Charlotte$463
Highways & Roads
Memphis$277
Charlotte$41
Parks & Recreation
Memphis$1,397
Charlotte$1,571
Health
Memphis$391
Charlotte$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MemphisCharlotte
Property Tax
$10
$0
Sales Tax
$496
$541
Income Tax
$1,218
$366
Intergovernmental
$34,065
$1,859
Charges & Fees
$2,077
$2,459
Other
$3,994
$4,866

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

MemphisCharlotte
Fire Protection
$469
$463
Highways & Roads
$277
$41
Public Welfare
$630
$672
Health
$391
$0
Hospitals
$1,677
$1,243
Parks & Recreation
$1,397
$1,571
Housing
$4,683
$3,944
Utilities
$2,578
$2,244
Interest on Debt
$1,158
$2,226
Other
$8,850
$3,448
B
Memphis, TN
Fiscal Health Score: 65/100
Good fiscal health
C
Charlotte, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 63/100
Average fiscal health

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