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

Arlington, VA vs Alexandria, VA

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

Summary

Arlington spends 19.4% 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
Arlington, VA
Pop. 235,845
C
58/100
Budget Balance39
Debt Burden90
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Alexandria, VA
Pop. 157,594
C
53/100
Budget Balance50
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

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

Per Capita Spending by Department

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

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

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