Newport News, VA vs Norfolk, VA
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Newport News, VA and Norfolk, VA spend within 11.9% of each other per resident — $56,948 versus $50,880 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Norfolk, VA holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 46/100 (grade D) against 32/100 (grade F) for Newport News, VA — a 14-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, Norfolk, VA carries the lighter load at $1,370 per resident versus $2,213 for Newport News, VA. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: education leads in Newport News, VA at $23,175 per resident and in Norfolk, VA at $19,019.
They also fund themselves differently: charges and fees is the largest single revenue source in Newport News, VA at 17% of total revenue, whereas Norfolk, VA relies most on intergovernmental transfers at 7%.
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
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| 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)
| 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 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.