Memphis, TN vs Chattanooga, TN
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Chattanooga, TN and Memphis, TN spend within 9.2% of each other per resident — $24,150 versus $22,111 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Chattanooga, TN holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 78/100 (grade B) against 65/100 (grade B) for Memphis, TN — a 13-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
Chattanooga, TN reports no outstanding debt per resident in its Census filing, while Memphis, TN carries $303 per resident. 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 Chattanooga, TN at $1,596.
They also fund themselves differently: intergovernmental transfers is the largest single revenue source in Memphis, TN at 100% of total revenue, whereas Chattanooga, TN relies most on other revenue at 35%.
Summary
Chattanooga spends 8.4% more per capita than Memphis ($2,039/person difference). Chattanooga, TN has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 78/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $10 | $0 |
| Sales Tax | $496 | $82 |
| Income Tax | $1,218 | $301 |
| Intergovernmental | $34,065 | $597 |
| Charges & Fees | $2,077 | $0 |
| Other | $3,994 | $13,286 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $469 | $1,061 |
| Highways & Roads | $277 | $212 |
| Public Welfare | $630 | $895 |
| Health | $391 | $436 |
| Hospitals | $1,677 | $697 |
| Parks & Recreation | $1,397 | $1,596 |
| Housing | $4,683 | $4,908 |
| Sewerage | $0 | $175 |
| Utilities | $2,578 | $1,629 |
| Interest on Debt | $1,158 | $2,068 |
| Other | $8,850 | $10,474 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.