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

Norfolk, VA vs Arlington, VA

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

Summary

Arlington spends 26.5% more per capita than Norfolk ($18,354/person difference). Arlington, VA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 58/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Norfolk, VA
Pop. 236,973
D
46/100
Budget Balance62
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
Norfolk
Arlington
Total Spending
$12.1B
$16.3B
Spending / Capita
$50,880
$69,233
Total Revenue
$17.4B
$18.1B
Revenue / Capita
$73,324
$76,540
Total Debt
$324.7M
$117.7M
Debt / Capita
$1,370
$499
Population
236,973
235,845
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Norfolk$1,718
Arlington$2,158
Fire Protection
Norfolk$832
Arlington$694
Highways & Roads
Norfolk$1,186
Arlington$780
Parks & Recreation
Norfolk$1,601
Arlington$2,793
Education
Norfolk$19,019
Arlington$28,519
Health
Norfolk$519
Arlington$851

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

NorfolkArlington
Property Tax
$97
$27
Sales Tax
$1,289
$554
Income Tax
$896
$466
Intergovernmental
$4,946
$4,733
Charges & Fees
$4,679
$2,576
Other
$3,596
$5,381

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

NorfolkArlington
Police
$1,718
$2,158
Fire Protection
$832
$694
Highways & Roads
$1,186
$780
Education
$19,019
$28,519
Public Welfare
$1,311
$3,283
Health
$519
$851
Hospitals
$5,390
$2,783
Parks & Recreation
$1,601
$2,793
Housing
$3,939
$4,402
Sewerage
$96
$57
Utilities
$5,495
$9,221
Other
$9,773
$13,692
D
Norfolk, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 46/100
Below average fiscal health
C
Arlington, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 58/100
Average fiscal health

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