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

Portland, OR vs Memphis, TN

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

Summary

Portland spends 7.1% more per capita than Memphis ($1,564/person difference). Memphis, TN has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 65/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Portland, OR
Pop. 646,101
C
63/100
Budget Balance83
Debt Burden7
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency72
Revenue Diversity100
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
Portland
Memphis
Total Spending
$15.3B
$13.9B
Spending / Capita
$23,675
$22,111
Total Revenue
$31.0B
$21.5B
Revenue / Capita
$47,970
$34,065
Total Debt
$1.0B
$191.2M
Debt / Capita
$1,574
$303
Population
646,101
630,027
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Portland$1,700
Memphis$469
Highways & Roads
Portland$139
Memphis$277
Parks & Recreation
Portland$2,477
Memphis$1,397
Health
Portland$0
Memphis$391

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PortlandMemphis
Property Tax
$0
$10
Sales Tax
$1,695
$496
Income Tax
$130
$1,218
Intergovernmental
$8,979
$34,065
Charges & Fees
$3,883
$2,077
Other
$7,916
$3,994

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

PortlandMemphis
Fire Protection
$1,700
$469
Highways & Roads
$139
$277
Public Welfare
$3,607
$630
Health
$0
$391
Hospitals
$2,893
$1,677
Parks & Recreation
$2,477
$1,397
Housing
$3,694
$4,683
Sewerage
$630
$0
Utilities
$1,845
$2,578
Interest on Debt
$0
$1,158
Other
$6,689
$8,850
C
Portland, OR
Fiscal Health Score: 63/100
Average fiscal health
B
Memphis, TN
Fiscal Health Score: 65/100
Good fiscal health

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