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

Memphis, TN vs Chattanooga, TN

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

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

City A
Memphis, TN
Pop. 630,027
B
65/100
Budget Balance52
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency79
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Chattanooga, TN
Pop. 181,288
B
78/100
Budget Balance90
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency37
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Memphis
Chattanooga
Total Spending
$13.9B
$4.4B
Spending / Capita
$22,111
$24,150
Total Revenue
$21.5B
$7.0B
Revenue / Capita
$34,065
$38,387
Total Debt
$191.2M
$0
Debt / Capita
$303
$0
Population
630,027
181,288
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Memphis$469
Chattanooga$1,061
Highways & Roads
Memphis$277
Chattanooga$212
Parks & Recreation
Memphis$1,397
Chattanooga$1,596
Health
Memphis$391
Chattanooga$436

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MemphisChattanooga
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)

MemphisChattanooga
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
B
Memphis, TN
Fiscal Health Score: 65/100
Good fiscal health
B
Chattanooga, TN
Fiscal Health Score: 78/100
Good fiscal health

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