Hampton, VA vs Norfolk, VA
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Norfolk, VA and Hampton, VA spend within 11.8% of each other per resident — $50,880 versus $45,522 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Hampton, VA holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 60/100 (grade C) against 46/100 (grade D) for Norfolk, VA — a 14-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
Hampton, VA reports no outstanding debt per resident in its Census filing, while Norfolk, VA carries $1,370 per resident. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: education leads in Hampton, VA at $21,725 per resident and in Norfolk, VA at $19,019.
They also fund themselves differently: other revenue is the largest single revenue source in Hampton, VA at 8% of total revenue, whereas Norfolk, VA relies most on intergovernmental transfers at 7%.
Summary
Norfolk spends 10.5% more per capita than Hampton ($5,357/person difference). Hampton, VA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 60/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $0 | $97 |
| Sales Tax | $1,697 | $1,289 |
| Income Tax | $1,516 | $896 |
| Intergovernmental | $1 | $4,946 |
| Charges & Fees | $0 | $4,679 |
| Other | $2,522 | $3,596 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Police | $1,158 | $1,718 |
| Fire Protection | $730 | $832 |
| Highways & Roads | $392 | $1,186 |
| Education | $21,725 | $19,019 |
| Public Welfare | $249 | $1,311 |
| Health | $252 | $519 |
| Hospitals | $3,201 | $5,390 |
| Parks & Recreation | $3,179 | $1,601 |
| Housing | $2,418 | $3,939 |
| Sewerage | $87 | $96 |
| Utilities | $4,239 | $5,495 |
| Other | $7,892 | $9,773 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.