City of Memphis Budget Simulator
The Budget Is a Moral Document
Every dollar the city spends reflects a choice about what matters most. Before you see how elected officials made those choices, take a guess yourself.
What does this budget fund? (tap to expand)
This budget covers: Memphis Police, Memphis Fire, Public Works (streets & bridges), Parks & Recreation, Libraries, Housing & Community Development, City Administration, and other city services.
This budget does NOT cover: Shelby County Schools, MATA transit, Memphis Light Gas & Water (MLGW), or Memphis Housing Authority — those are separate entities with their own budgets.
The General Fund is the most important part — it's where elected officials have the most control over priorities, and it's what your advocacy will most directly impact.
Guess How the City Spends Your Money
Adjust the sliders to show what percentage of the budget you think goes to each department. There are no wrong answers — this is about revealing assumptions before seeing the reality.
After completing your guess, you'll see the actual budget and compare your priorities.
Total Budget Allocation: 0%
Your allocations must add up to 100% of the total budget.
City Budget Overview
Total Budget Size: $— million
Fiscal Year: —
Population Served: ~633,000 residents
Allocate the City Budget
Your Budget Breakdown
Budget Tips
- Most people overestimate spending on some services and underestimate others.
- The City of Memphis collects revenue primarily through property taxes.
- City and County budgets fund different services - this is just the city portion.
- Police and Fire services typically make up a large portion of city budgets.
- After you make your guess, you'll see the actual budget for comparison.
Next Steps
After submitting your guess, you'll be able to:
- Compare with the actual budget
- Create your own budget with priorities
- Explore revenue options
- Share your budget with elected officials