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

Washington, DC vs Memphis, TN

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

Summary

Washington spends 1000.6% more per capita than Memphis ($221,230/person difference). Memphis, TN has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 65/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Washington, DC
Pop. 670,587
D
41/100
Budget Balance45
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
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
Washington
Memphis
Total Spending
$163.2B
$13.9B
Spending / Capita
$243,341
$22,111
Total Revenue
$186.2B
$21.5B
Revenue / Capita
$277,701
$34,065
Total Debt
$1.7B
$191.2M
Debt / Capita
$2,516
$303
Population
670,587
630,027
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Washington$4,183
Memphis$0
Fire Protection
Washington$4,262
Memphis$469
Highways & Roads
Washington$1,435
Memphis$277
Parks & Recreation
Washington$5,459
Memphis$1,397
Education
Washington$53,224
Memphis$0
Health
Washington$1,009
Memphis$391

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

WashingtonMemphis
Property Tax
$25
$10
Sales Tax
$991
$496
Income Tax
$141
$1,218
Intergovernmental
$18,754
$34,065
Charges & Fees
$4,070
$2,077
Other
$11,518
$3,994

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

WashingtonMemphis
Police
$4,183
$0
Fire Protection
$4,262
$469
Highways & Roads
$1,435
$277
Education
$53,224
$0
Public Welfare
$2,498
$630
Health
$1,009
$391
Hospitals
$17,668
$1,677
Parks & Recreation
$5,459
$1,397
Housing
$10,296
$4,683
Sewerage
$2,881
$0
Utilities
$88,990
$2,578
Interest on Debt
$58
$1,158
General Admin
$3,225
$0
Other
$48,155
$8,850
D
Washington, DC
Fiscal Health Score: 41/100
Below average fiscal health
B
Memphis, TN
Fiscal Health Score: 65/100
Good fiscal health

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