Memphis, TN vs Wichita, KS
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Memphis, TN outspends Wichita, KS by a wide margin per resident — $22,111 versus $7,986, a 177% difference. A gap this size usually reflects a structurally different service mix or accounting scope rather than a single line item.
Wichita, KS holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 90/100 (grade A) against 65/100 (grade B) for Memphis, TN — a 25-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, Wichita, KS carries the lighter load at $132 per resident versus $303 for Memphis, TN. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: parks and recreation leads in Memphis, TN at $1,397 per resident and in Wichita, KS at $874.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 100% of total revenue in Memphis, TN and 14% in Wichita, KS.
Summary
Memphis spends 176.9% more per capita than Wichita ($14,125/person difference). Wichita, KS has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 90/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $10 | $0 |
| Sales Tax | $496 | $246 |
| Income Tax | $1,218 | $57 |
| Intergovernmental | $34,065 | $3,895 |
| Charges & Fees | $2,077 | $3,193 |
| Other | $3,994 | $2,783 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $469 | $152 |
| Highways & Roads | $277 | $126 |
| Education | $0 | $2 |
| Public Welfare | $630 | $441 |
| Health | $391 | $254 |
| Hospitals | $1,677 | $113 |
| Parks & Recreation | $1,397 | $874 |
| Housing | $4,683 | $2,618 |
| Utilities | $2,578 | $1,225 |
| Interest on Debt | $1,158 | $70 |
| Other | $8,850 | $2,111 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.