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

Murfreesboro, TN vs Chattanooga, TN

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

Summary

Chattanooga spends 22.1% more per capita than Murfreesboro ($5,338/person difference). Chattanooga, TN has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 78/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Murfreesboro, TN
Pop. 153,487
D
44/100
Budget Balance55
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency68
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Chattanooga, TN
Pop. 181,288
B
78/100
Budget Balance90
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency37
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Murfreesboro
Chattanooga
Total Spending
$2.9B
$4.4B
Spending / Capita
$18,812
$24,150
Total Revenue
$4.1B
$7.0B
Revenue / Capita
$27,007
$38,387
Total Debt
$378.7M
$0
Debt / Capita
$2,467
$0
Population
153,487
181,288
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Murfreesboro$558
Chattanooga$1,061
Highways & Roads
Murfreesboro$87
Chattanooga$212
Parks & Recreation
Murfreesboro$1,074
Chattanooga$1,596
Education
Murfreesboro$7,574
Chattanooga$0
Health
Murfreesboro$86
Chattanooga$436

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MurfreesboroChattanooga
Sales Tax
$355
$82
Income Tax
$349
$301
Intergovernmental
$27,007
$597
Charges & Fees
$3,562
$0
Other
$40
$13,286

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

MurfreesboroChattanooga
Fire Protection
$558
$1,061
Highways & Roads
$87
$212
Education
$7,574
$0
Public Welfare
$752
$895
Health
$86
$436
Hospitals
$300
$697
Parks & Recreation
$1,074
$1,596
Housing
$2,655
$4,908
Sewerage
$133
$175
Utilities
$2,530
$1,629
Interest on Debt
$203
$2,068
Other
$2,861
$10,474
D
Murfreesboro, TN
Fiscal Health Score: 44/100
Below average fiscal health
B
Chattanooga, TN
Fiscal Health Score: 78/100
Good fiscal health

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