Memphis, TN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
New York, NY outspends Memphis, TN by a wide margin per resident — $129,119 versus $22,111, a 484% difference. A gap this size usually reflects a structurally different service mix or accounting scope rather than a single line item.
Memphis, TN edges New York, NY on the Fiscal Health Score by 1 points — 65/100 (grade B) to 64/100 (grade C). At a margin this narrow the grade is close enough that the factor-level detail matters more than the composite.
On debt, Memphis, TN carries the lighter load at $303 per resident versus $462 for New York, NY. Their budgets diverge on where the largest per-resident dollars go: Memphis, TN leads with parks and recreation at $1,397 per resident, while New York, NY leads with education at $37,892.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 100% of total revenue in Memphis, TN and 14% in New York, NY.
Summary
New York spends 82.9% more per capita than Memphis ($107,009/person difference). Memphis, TN has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 65/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $10 | $5 |
| Sales Tax | $496 | $399 |
| Income Tax | $1,218 | $19 |
| Intergovernmental | $34,065 | $20,520 |
| Charges & Fees | $2,077 | $1,835 |
| Other | $3,994 | $3,593 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Police | $0 | $1,512 |
| Fire Protection | $469 | $11,050 |
| Highways & Roads | $277 | $221 |
| Education | $0 | $37,892 |
| Public Welfare | $630 | $1,116 |
| Health | $391 | $417 |
| Hospitals | $1,677 | $6,467 |
| Parks & Recreation | $1,397 | $868 |
| Housing | $4,683 | $7,137 |
| Sewerage | $0 | $315 |
| Utilities | $2,578 | $13,371 |
| Interest on Debt | $1,158 | $11,706 |
| General Admin | $0 | $11,668 |
| Other | $8,850 | $25,380 |
Compare More Cities
Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.