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

Arlington, VA vs Richmond, VA

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

Summary

Arlington spends 12.3% more per capita than Richmond ($7,572/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
Richmond, VA
Pop. 227,171
D
45/100
Budget Balance58
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Arlington
Richmond
Total Spending
$16.3B
$14.0B
Spending / Capita
$69,233
$61,661
Total Revenue
$18.1B
$17.5B
Revenue / Capita
$76,540
$77,122
Total Debt
$117.7M
$296.3M
Debt / Capita
$499
$1,304
Population
235,845
227,171
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Arlington$2,158
Richmond$2,108
Fire Protection
Arlington$694
Richmond$921
Highways & Roads
Arlington$780
Richmond$738
Parks & Recreation
Arlington$2,793
Richmond$1,154
Education
Arlington$28,519
Richmond$20,033
Health
Arlington$851
Richmond$341

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ArlingtonRichmond
Property Tax
$27
$0
Sales Tax
$554
$930
Income Tax
$466
$879
Intergovernmental
$4,733
$3,985
Charges & Fees
$2,576
$3,949
Other
$5,381
$7,690

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ArlingtonRichmond
Police
$2,158
$2,108
Fire Protection
$694
$921
Highways & Roads
$780
$738
Education
$28,519
$20,033
Public Welfare
$3,283
$1,535
Health
$851
$341
Hospitals
$2,783
$3,770
Parks & Recreation
$2,793
$1,154
Housing
$4,402
$5,951
Sewerage
$57
$17
Utilities
$9,221
$7,265
Interest on Debt
$0
$3,048
Other
$13,692
$14,781
C
Arlington, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 58/100
Average fiscal health
D
Richmond, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health

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