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

Arlington, VA vs Roanoke, VA

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

Summary

Arlington spends 79.8% more per capita than Roanoke ($30,720/person difference). Roanoke, VA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 59/100).

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
Roanoke, VA
Pop. 99,213
C
59/100
Budget Balance37
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Arlington
Roanoke
Total Spending
$16.3B
$3.8B
Spending / Capita
$69,233
$38,513
Total Revenue
$18.1B
$1.8B
Revenue / Capita
$76,540
$18,241
Total Debt
$117.7M
$722K
Debt / Capita
$499
$7
Population
235,845
99,213
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Arlington$2,158
Roanoke$1,543
Fire Protection
Arlington$694
Roanoke$235
Highways & Roads
Arlington$780
Roanoke$1,357
Parks & Recreation
Arlington$2,793
Roanoke$950
Education
Arlington$28,519
Roanoke$18,609
Health
Arlington$851
Roanoke$573

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ArlingtonRoanoke
Property Tax
$27
$0
Sales Tax
$554
$472
Income Tax
$466
$386
Intergovernmental
$4,733
$1,358
Charges & Fees
$2,576
$0
Other
$5,381
$2,424

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ArlingtonRoanoke
Police
$2,158
$1,543
Fire Protection
$694
$235
Highways & Roads
$780
$1,357
Education
$28,519
$18,609
Public Welfare
$3,283
$0
Health
$851
$573
Hospitals
$2,783
$511
Parks & Recreation
$2,793
$950
Housing
$4,402
$2,054
Sewerage
$57
$112
Utilities
$9,221
$3,633
Other
$13,692
$8,936
C
Arlington, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 58/100
Average fiscal health
C
Roanoke, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 59/100
Average fiscal health

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