Chesapeake, VA vs Norfolk, VA
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Norfolk, VA and Chesapeake, VA spend within 10.9% of each other per resident — $50,880 versus $45,860 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Norfolk, VA edges Chesapeake, VA on the Fiscal Health Score by 5 points — 46/100 (grade D) to 41/100 (grade D). At a margin this narrow the grade is close enough that the factor-level detail matters more than the composite.
On debt, Chesapeake, VA carries the lighter load at $684 per resident versus $1,370 for Norfolk, VA. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: education leads in Chesapeake, VA at $25,005 per resident and in Norfolk, VA at $19,019.
They also fund themselves differently: other revenue is the largest single revenue source in Chesapeake, VA at 3764% of total revenue, whereas Norfolk, VA relies most on intergovernmental transfers at 7%.
Summary
Norfolk spends 9.9% more per capita than Chesapeake ($5,020/person difference). Norfolk, VA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (D, 46/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $12 | $97 |
| Sales Tax | $39 | $1,289 |
| Income Tax | $0 | $896 |
| Intergovernmental | $5 | $4,946 |
| Charges & Fees | $1,780 | $4,679 |
| Other | $3,671 | $3,596 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Police | $2,306 | $1,718 |
| Fire Protection | $755 | $832 |
| Highways & Roads | $413 | $1,186 |
| Education | $25,005 | $19,019 |
| Public Welfare | $2,106 | $1,311 |
| Health | $481 | $519 |
| Hospitals | $1,086 | $5,390 |
| Parks & Recreation | $559 | $1,601 |
| Housing | $3,550 | $3,939 |
| Sewerage | $331 | $96 |
| Utilities | $3,148 | $5,495 |
| Other | $6,120 | $9,773 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.