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

Memphis, TN vs Washington, DC

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

Summary

Washington spends 90.9% more per capita than Memphis ($221,230/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
Washington, DC
Pop. 670,587
D
41/100
Budget Balance45
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Memphis
Washington
Total Spending
$13.9B
$163.2B
Spending / Capita
$22,111
$243,341
Total Revenue
$21.5B
$186.2B
Revenue / Capita
$34,065
$277,701
Total Debt
$191.2M
$1.7B
Debt / Capita
$303
$2,516
Population
630,027
670,587
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Memphis$0
Washington$4,183
Fire Protection
Memphis$469
Washington$4,262
Highways & Roads
Memphis$277
Washington$1,435
Parks & Recreation
Memphis$1,397
Washington$5,459
Education
Memphis$0
Washington$53,224
Health
Memphis$391
Washington$1,009

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MemphisWashington
Property Tax
$10
$25
Sales Tax
$496
$991
Income Tax
$1,218
$141
Intergovernmental
$34,065
$18,754
Charges & Fees
$2,077
$4,070
Other
$3,994
$11,518

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

MemphisWashington
Police
$0
$4,183
Fire Protection
$469
$4,262
Highways & Roads
$277
$1,435
Education
$0
$53,224
Public Welfare
$630
$2,498
Health
$391
$1,009
Hospitals
$1,677
$17,668
Parks & Recreation
$1,397
$5,459
Housing
$4,683
$10,296
Sewerage
$0
$2,881
Utilities
$2,578
$88,990
Interest on Debt
$1,158
$58
General Admin
$0
$3,225
Other
$8,850
$48,155
B
Memphis, TN
Fiscal Health Score: 65/100
Good fiscal health
D
Washington, DC
Fiscal Health Score: 41/100
Below average fiscal health

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