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

Memphis, TN vs Portland, OR

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

Summary

Portland spends 6.6% more per capita than Memphis ($1,564/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
Portland, OR
Pop. 646,101
C
63/100
Budget Balance83
Debt Burden7
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency72
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Memphis
Portland
Total Spending
$13.9B
$15.3B
Spending / Capita
$22,111
$23,675
Total Revenue
$21.5B
$31.0B
Revenue / Capita
$34,065
$47,970
Total Debt
$191.2M
$1.0B
Debt / Capita
$303
$1,574
Population
630,027
646,101
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Memphis$469
Portland$1,700
Highways & Roads
Memphis$277
Portland$139
Parks & Recreation
Memphis$1,397
Portland$2,477
Health
Memphis$391
Portland$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MemphisPortland
Property Tax
$10
$0
Sales Tax
$496
$1,695
Income Tax
$1,218
$130
Intergovernmental
$34,065
$8,979
Charges & Fees
$2,077
$3,883
Other
$3,994
$7,916

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

MemphisPortland
Fire Protection
$469
$1,700
Highways & Roads
$277
$139
Public Welfare
$630
$3,607
Health
$391
$0
Hospitals
$1,677
$2,893
Parks & Recreation
$1,397
$2,477
Housing
$4,683
$3,694
Sewerage
$0
$630
Utilities
$2,578
$1,845
Interest on Debt
$1,158
$0
Other
$8,850
$6,689
B
Memphis, TN
Fiscal Health Score: 65/100
Good fiscal health
C
Portland, OR
Fiscal Health Score: 63/100
Average fiscal health

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