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

Newport News, VA vs Arlington, VA

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

Summary

Arlington spends 17.7% more per capita than Newport News ($12,285/person difference). Arlington, VA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 58/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Newport News, VA
Pop. 185,118
F
32/100
Budget Balance7
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Arlington, VA
Pop. 235,845
C
58/100
Budget Balance39
Debt Burden90
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Newport News
Arlington
Total Spending
$10.5B
$16.3B
Spending / Capita
$56,948
$69,233
Total Revenue
$6.2B
$18.1B
Revenue / Capita
$33,516
$76,540
Total Debt
$409.7M
$117.7M
Debt / Capita
$2,213
$499
Population
185,118
235,845
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Newport News$1,848
Arlington$2,158
Fire Protection
Newport News$658
Arlington$694
Highways & Roads
Newport News$702
Arlington$780
Parks & Recreation
Newport News$2,102
Arlington$2,793
Education
Newport News$23,175
Arlington$28,519
Health
Newport News$377
Arlington$851

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

Newport NewsArlington
Property Tax
$0
$27
Sales Tax
$382
$554
Income Tax
$820
$466
Intergovernmental
$899
$4,733
Charges & Fees
$5,701
$2,576
Other
$4,722
$5,381

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

Newport NewsArlington
Police
$1,848
$2,158
Fire Protection
$658
$694
Highways & Roads
$702
$780
Education
$23,175
$28,519
Public Welfare
$1,145
$3,283
Health
$377
$851
Hospitals
$2,755
$2,783
Parks & Recreation
$2,102
$2,793
Housing
$4,827
$4,402
Sewerage
$219
$57
Utilities
$7,332
$9,221
Other
$11,810
$13,692
F
Newport News, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 32/100
Critical fiscal distress
C
Arlington, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 58/100
Average fiscal health

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