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

Newport News, VA vs Norfolk, VA

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

Summary

Newport News spends 11.9% more per capita than Norfolk ($6,069/person difference). Norfolk, VA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (D, 46/100).

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
Norfolk, VA
Pop. 236,973
D
46/100
Budget Balance62
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Newport News
Norfolk
Total Spending
$10.5B
$12.1B
Spending / Capita
$56,948
$50,880
Total Revenue
$6.2B
$17.4B
Revenue / Capita
$33,516
$73,324
Total Debt
$409.7M
$324.7M
Debt / Capita
$2,213
$1,370
Population
185,118
236,973
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Newport News$1,848
Norfolk$1,718
Fire Protection
Newport News$658
Norfolk$832
Highways & Roads
Newport News$702
Norfolk$1,186
Parks & Recreation
Newport News$2,102
Norfolk$1,601
Education
Newport News$23,175
Norfolk$19,019
Health
Newport News$377
Norfolk$519

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

Newport NewsNorfolk
Property Tax
$0
$97
Sales Tax
$382
$1,289
Income Tax
$820
$896
Intergovernmental
$899
$4,946
Charges & Fees
$5,701
$4,679
Other
$4,722
$3,596

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

Newport NewsNorfolk
Police
$1,848
$1,718
Fire Protection
$658
$832
Highways & Roads
$702
$1,186
Education
$23,175
$19,019
Public Welfare
$1,145
$1,311
Health
$377
$519
Hospitals
$2,755
$5,390
Parks & Recreation
$2,102
$1,601
Housing
$4,827
$3,939
Sewerage
$219
$96
Utilities
$7,332
$5,495
Other
$11,810
$9,773
F
Newport News, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 32/100
Critical fiscal distress
D
Norfolk, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 46/100
Below average fiscal health

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