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

Raleigh, NC vs Memphis, TN

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

Summary

Memphis spends 37.1% more per capita than Raleigh ($8,200/person difference). Raleigh, NC has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 76/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Raleigh, NC
Pop. 465,517
B
76/100
Budget Balance82
Debt Burden68
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity67
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
Raleigh
Memphis
Total Spending
$6.5B
$13.9B
Spending / Capita
$13,911
$22,111
Total Revenue
$13.9B
$21.5B
Revenue / Capita
$29,940
$34,065
Total Debt
$421.6M
$191.2M
Debt / Capita
$906
$303
Population
465,517
630,027
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Raleigh$277
Memphis$469
Highways & Roads
Raleigh$448
Memphis$277
Parks & Recreation
Raleigh$1,391
Memphis$1,397
Education
Raleigh$6
Memphis$0
Health
Raleigh$0
Memphis$391

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

RaleighMemphis
Property Tax
$0
$10
Sales Tax
$858
$496
Income Tax
$806
$1,218
Intergovernmental
$14,128
$34,065
Charges & Fees
$2,681
$2,077
Other
$4,740
$3,994

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

RaleighMemphis
Fire Protection
$277
$469
Highways & Roads
$448
$277
Education
$6
$0
Public Welfare
$498
$630
Health
$0
$391
Hospitals
$669
$1,677
Parks & Recreation
$1,391
$1,397
Housing
$2,712
$4,683
Sewerage
$281
$0
Utilities
$2,469
$2,578
Interest on Debt
$1,513
$1,158
Other
$3,646
$8,850
B
Raleigh, NC
Fiscal Health Score: 76/100
Good fiscal health
B
Memphis, TN
Fiscal Health Score: 65/100
Good fiscal health

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