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

Memphis, TN vs Detroit, MI

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

Summary

Detroit spends 28.9% more per capita than Memphis ($8,977/person difference). Detroit, MI has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 69/100).

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
Detroit, MI
Pop. 636,787
B
69/100
Budget Balance70
Debt Burden79
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency38
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Memphis
Detroit
Total Spending
$13.9B
$19.8B
Spending / Capita
$22,111
$31,087
Total Revenue
$21.5B
$28.4B
Revenue / Capita
$34,065
$44,533
Total Debt
$191.2M
$493.9M
Debt / Capita
$303
$776
Population
630,027
636,787
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Memphis$469
Detroit$2,429
Highways & Roads
Memphis$277
Detroit$0
Parks & Recreation
Memphis$1,397
Detroit$950
Health
Memphis$391
Detroit$396

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MemphisDetroit
Property Tax
$10
$44
Sales Tax
$496
$200
Income Tax
$1,218
$1,045
Intergovernmental
$34,065
$291
Charges & Fees
$2,077
$2,228
Other
$3,994
$6,892

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

MemphisDetroit
Fire Protection
$469
$2,429
Highways & Roads
$277
$0
Public Welfare
$630
$833
Health
$391
$396
Hospitals
$1,677
$2,217
Parks & Recreation
$1,397
$950
Housing
$4,683
$5,791
Sewerage
$0
$451
Utilities
$2,578
$2,737
Interest on Debt
$1,158
$2,068
Other
$8,850
$13,216
B
Memphis, TN
Fiscal Health Score: 65/100
Good fiscal health
B
Detroit, MI
Fiscal Health Score: 69/100
Good fiscal health

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