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

Phoenix, AZ vs Memphis, TN

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

Summary

Memphis spends 28.6% more per capita than Phoenix ($6,318/person difference). Phoenix, AZ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 67/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Phoenix, AZ
Pop. 1,609,456
B
67/100
Budget Balance93
Debt Burden45
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Memphis, TN
Pop. 630,027
B
65/100
Budget Balance52
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency79
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Phoenix
Memphis
Total Spending
$25.4B
$13.9B
Spending / Capita
$15,793
$22,111
Total Revenue
$81.6B
$21.5B
Revenue / Capita
$50,709
$34,065
Total Debt
$1.9B
$191.2M
Debt / Capita
$1,156
$303
Population
1,609,456
630,027
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Phoenix$170
Memphis$469
Highways & Roads
Phoenix$86
Memphis$277
Parks & Recreation
Phoenix$652
Memphis$1,397
Education
Phoenix$214
Memphis$0
Health
Phoenix$258
Memphis$391

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhoenixMemphis
Property Tax
$7
$10
Sales Tax
$338
$496
Income Tax
$1,260
$1,218
Intergovernmental
$50,709
$34,065
Charges & Fees
$2,998
$2,077
Other
$2,038
$3,994

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhoenixMemphis
Fire Protection
$170
$469
Highways & Roads
$86
$277
Education
$214
$0
Public Welfare
$507
$630
Health
$258
$391
Hospitals
$1,521
$1,677
Parks & Recreation
$652
$1,397
Housing
$3,879
$4,683
Sewerage
$388
$0
Utilities
$2,480
$2,578
Interest on Debt
$1,760
$1,158
Other
$3,878
$8,850
B
Phoenix, AZ
Fiscal Health Score: 67/100
Good fiscal health
B
Memphis, TN
Fiscal Health Score: 65/100
Good fiscal health

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