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

Memphis, TN vs San Diego, CA

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

Summary

San Diego spends 48.9% more per capita than Memphis ($21,196/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
San Diego, CA
Pop. 1,383,987
C
53/100
Budget Balance14
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity96
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Memphis
San Diego
Total Spending
$13.9B
$59.9B
Spending / Capita
$22,111
$43,306
Total Revenue
$21.5B
$13.4B
Revenue / Capita
$34,065
$9,662
Total Debt
$191.2M
$0
Debt / Capita
$303
$0
Population
630,027
1,383,987
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Memphis$0
San Diego$3,335
Fire Protection
Memphis$469
San Diego$1,278
Highways & Roads
Memphis$277
San Diego$1,408
Parks & Recreation
Memphis$1,397
San Diego$436
Education
Memphis$0
San Diego$2,005
Health
Memphis$391
San Diego$411

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MemphisSan Diego
Property Tax
$10
$124
Sales Tax
$496
$63
Income Tax
$1,218
$194
Intergovernmental
$34,065
$57
Charges & Fees
$2,077
$14
Other
$3,994
$3,801

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

MemphisSan Diego
Police
$0
$3,335
Fire Protection
$469
$1,278
Highways & Roads
$277
$1,408
Education
$0
$2,005
Public Welfare
$630
$700
Health
$391
$411
Hospitals
$1,677
$0
Parks & Recreation
$1,397
$436
Housing
$4,683
$4,476
Sewerage
$0
$43
Utilities
$2,578
$11,704
Interest on Debt
$1,158
$0
Other
$8,850
$17,509
B
Memphis, TN
Fiscal Health Score: 65/100
Good fiscal health
C
San Diego, CA
Fiscal Health Score: 53/100
Average fiscal health

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