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

Memphis, TN vs Kansas City, MO

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

Summary

Kansas City spends 3.1% more per capita than Memphis ($709/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
Kansas City, MO
Pop. 505,958
C
52/100
Budget Balance1
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency76
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Memphis
Kansas City
Total Spending
$13.9B
$11.5B
Spending / Capita
$22,111
$22,820
Total Revenue
$21.5B
$675.4M
Revenue / Capita
$34,065
$1,335
Total Debt
$191.2M
$0
Debt / Capita
$303
$0
Population
630,027
505,958
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Memphis$469
Kansas City$119
Highways & Roads
Memphis$277
Kansas City$0
Parks & Recreation
Memphis$1,397
Kansas City$1,309
Health
Memphis$391
Kansas City$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MemphisKansas City
Property Tax
$10
$0
Sales Tax
$496
$623
Income Tax
$1,218
$0
Intergovernmental
$34,065
$7
Charges & Fees
$2,077
$3,794
Other
$3,994
$11,150

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

MemphisKansas City
Fire Protection
$469
$119
Highways & Roads
$277
$0
Public Welfare
$630
$3,018
Health
$391
$0
Hospitals
$1,677
$1,849
Parks & Recreation
$1,397
$1,309
Housing
$4,683
$4,681
Utilities
$2,578
$3,123
Interest on Debt
$1,158
$0
Other
$8,850
$8,721
B
Memphis, TN
Fiscal Health Score: 65/100
Good fiscal health
C
Kansas City, MO
Fiscal Health Score: 52/100
Average fiscal health

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