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

Memphis, TN vs Columbus, OH

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

Summary

Memphis spends 17.2% more per capita than Columbus ($3,253/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
Columbus, OH
Pop. 902,449
C
52/100
Budget Balance32
Debt Burden46
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency94
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Memphis
Columbus
Total Spending
$13.9B
$17.0B
Spending / Capita
$22,111
$18,858
Total Revenue
$21.5B
$0
Revenue / Capita
$34,065
$0
Total Debt
$191.2M
$1.0B
Debt / Capita
$303
$1,145
Population
630,027
902,449
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Memphis$469
Columbus$1,016
Highways & Roads
Memphis$277
Columbus$224
Parks & Recreation
Memphis$1,397
Columbus$2,168
Health
Memphis$391
Columbus$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MemphisColumbus
Property Tax
$10
$10
Sales Tax
$496
$234
Income Tax
$1,218
$1
Intergovernmental
$34,065
$0
Charges & Fees
$2,077
$2,389
Other
$3,994
$5,248

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

MemphisColumbus
Fire Protection
$469
$1,016
Highways & Roads
$277
$224
Public Welfare
$630
$878
Health
$391
$0
Hospitals
$1,677
$953
Parks & Recreation
$1,397
$2,168
Housing
$4,683
$4,303
Sewerage
$0
$1
Utilities
$2,578
$1,719
Interest on Debt
$1,158
$0
Other
$8,850
$7,595
B
Memphis, TN
Fiscal Health Score: 65/100
Good fiscal health
C
Columbus, OH
Fiscal Health Score: 52/100
Average fiscal health

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