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

Alexandria, VA vs Arlington, VA

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

Summary

Arlington spends 16.2% more per capita than Alexandria ($11,239/person difference). Arlington, VA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 58/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Alexandria, VA
Pop. 157,594
C
53/100
Budget Balance50
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Arlington, VA
Pop. 235,845
C
58/100
Budget Balance39
Debt Burden90
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Alexandria
Arlington
Total Spending
$9.1B
$16.3B
Spending / Capita
$57,994
$69,233
Total Revenue
$2.0B
$18.1B
Revenue / Capita
$12,835
$76,540
Total Debt
$0
$117.7M
Debt / Capita
$0
$499
Population
157,594
235,845
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Alexandria$1,312
Arlington$2,158
Fire Protection
Alexandria$848
Arlington$694
Highways & Roads
Alexandria$675
Arlington$780
Parks & Recreation
Alexandria$2,244
Arlington$2,793
Education
Alexandria$22,295
Arlington$28,519
Health
Alexandria$541
Arlington$851

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

AlexandriaArlington
Property Tax
$38
$27
Sales Tax
$729
$554
Income Tax
$603
$466
Intergovernmental
$15,384
$4,733
Charges & Fees
$0
$2,576
Other
$6,522
$5,381

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

AlexandriaArlington
Police
$1,312
$2,158
Fire Protection
$848
$694
Highways & Roads
$675
$780
Education
$22,295
$28,519
Public Welfare
$1,976
$3,283
Health
$541
$851
Hospitals
$3,274
$2,783
Parks & Recreation
$2,244
$2,793
Housing
$4,894
$4,402
Sewerage
$615
$57
Utilities
$4,795
$9,221
Interest on Debt
$1,752
$0
Other
$12,773
$13,692
C
Alexandria, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 53/100
Average fiscal health
C
Arlington, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 58/100
Average fiscal health

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