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

Memphis, TN vs Phoenix, AZ

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

Summary

Memphis spends 40.0% more per capita than Phoenix ($6,318/person difference). Phoenix, AZ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 67/100).

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
Phoenix, AZ
Pop. 1,609,456
B
67/100
Budget Balance93
Debt Burden45
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Memphis
Phoenix
Total Spending
$13.9B
$25.4B
Spending / Capita
$22,111
$15,793
Total Revenue
$21.5B
$81.6B
Revenue / Capita
$34,065
$50,709
Total Debt
$191.2M
$1.9B
Debt / Capita
$303
$1,156
Population
630,027
1,609,456
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Memphis$469
Phoenix$170
Highways & Roads
Memphis$277
Phoenix$86
Parks & Recreation
Memphis$1,397
Phoenix$652
Education
Memphis$0
Phoenix$214
Health
Memphis$391
Phoenix$258

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MemphisPhoenix
Property Tax
$10
$7
Sales Tax
$496
$338
Income Tax
$1,218
$1,260
Intergovernmental
$34,065
$50,709
Charges & Fees
$2,077
$2,998
Other
$3,994
$2,038

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

MemphisPhoenix
Fire Protection
$469
$170
Highways & Roads
$277
$86
Education
$0
$214
Public Welfare
$630
$507
Health
$391
$258
Hospitals
$1,677
$1,521
Parks & Recreation
$1,397
$652
Housing
$4,683
$3,879
Sewerage
$0
$388
Utilities
$2,578
$2,480
Interest on Debt
$1,158
$1,760
Other
$8,850
$3,878
B
Memphis, TN
Fiscal Health Score: 65/100
Good fiscal health
B
Phoenix, AZ
Fiscal Health Score: 67/100
Good fiscal health

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