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

Arlington, VA vs Newport News, VA

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

Summary

Arlington spends 21.6% more per capita than Newport News ($12,285/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
Newport News, VA
Pop. 185,118
F
32/100
Budget Balance7
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Arlington
Newport News
Total Spending
$16.3B
$10.5B
Spending / Capita
$69,233
$56,948
Total Revenue
$18.1B
$6.2B
Revenue / Capita
$76,540
$33,516
Total Debt
$117.7M
$409.7M
Debt / Capita
$499
$2,213
Population
235,845
185,118
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Arlington$2,158
Newport News$1,848
Fire Protection
Arlington$694
Newport News$658
Highways & Roads
Arlington$780
Newport News$702
Parks & Recreation
Arlington$2,793
Newport News$2,102
Education
Arlington$28,519
Newport News$23,175
Health
Arlington$851
Newport News$377

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ArlingtonNewport News
Property Tax
$27
$0
Sales Tax
$554
$382
Income Tax
$466
$820
Intergovernmental
$4,733
$899
Charges & Fees
$2,576
$5,701
Other
$5,381
$4,722

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ArlingtonNewport News
Police
$2,158
$1,848
Fire Protection
$694
$658
Highways & Roads
$780
$702
Education
$28,519
$23,175
Public Welfare
$3,283
$1,145
Health
$851
$377
Hospitals
$2,783
$2,755
Parks & Recreation
$2,793
$2,102
Housing
$4,402
$4,827
Sewerage
$57
$219
Utilities
$9,221
$7,332
Other
$13,692
$11,810
C
Arlington, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 58/100
Average fiscal health
F
Newport News, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 32/100
Critical fiscal distress

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