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

Arlington, VA vs Norfolk, VA

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

Summary

Arlington spends 36.1% more per capita than Norfolk ($18,354/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
Norfolk, VA
Pop. 236,973
D
46/100
Budget Balance62
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Arlington
Norfolk
Total Spending
$16.3B
$12.1B
Spending / Capita
$69,233
$50,880
Total Revenue
$18.1B
$17.4B
Revenue / Capita
$76,540
$73,324
Total Debt
$117.7M
$324.7M
Debt / Capita
$499
$1,370
Population
235,845
236,973
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Arlington$2,158
Norfolk$1,718
Fire Protection
Arlington$694
Norfolk$832
Highways & Roads
Arlington$780
Norfolk$1,186
Parks & Recreation
Arlington$2,793
Norfolk$1,601
Education
Arlington$28,519
Norfolk$19,019
Health
Arlington$851
Norfolk$519

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ArlingtonNorfolk
Property Tax
$27
$97
Sales Tax
$554
$1,289
Income Tax
$466
$896
Intergovernmental
$4,733
$4,946
Charges & Fees
$2,576
$4,679
Other
$5,381
$3,596

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ArlingtonNorfolk
Police
$2,158
$1,718
Fire Protection
$694
$832
Highways & Roads
$780
$1,186
Education
$28,519
$19,019
Public Welfare
$3,283
$1,311
Health
$851
$519
Hospitals
$2,783
$5,390
Parks & Recreation
$2,793
$1,601
Housing
$4,402
$3,939
Sewerage
$57
$96
Utilities
$9,221
$5,495
Other
$13,692
$9,773
C
Arlington, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 58/100
Average fiscal health
D
Norfolk, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 46/100
Below average fiscal health

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