Norfolk, VA vs Chesapeake, VA
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Norfolk, VA and Chesapeake, VA spend within 10.9% of each other per resident — $50,880 versus $45,860 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Norfolk, VA edges Chesapeake, VA on the Fiscal Health Score by 5 points — 46/100 (grade D) to 41/100 (grade D). At a margin this narrow the grade is close enough that the factor-level detail matters more than the composite.
On debt, Chesapeake, VA carries the lighter load at $684 per resident versus $1,370 for Norfolk, VA. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: education leads in Norfolk, VA at $19,019 per resident and in Chesapeake, VA at $25,005.
They also fund themselves differently: intergovernmental transfers is the largest single revenue source in Norfolk, VA at 7% of total revenue, whereas Chesapeake, VA relies most on other revenue at 3764%.
Summary
Norfolk spends 10.9% more per capita than Chesapeake ($5,020/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 | $97 | $12 |
| Sales Tax | $1,289 | $39 |
| Income Tax | $896 | $0 |
| Intergovernmental | $4,946 | $5 |
| Charges & Fees | $4,679 | $1,780 |
| Other | $3,596 | $3,671 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Police | $1,718 | $2,306 |
| Fire Protection | $832 | $755 |
| Highways & Roads | $1,186 | $413 |
| Education | $19,019 | $25,005 |
| Public Welfare | $1,311 | $2,106 |
| Health | $519 | $481 |
| Hospitals | $5,390 | $1,086 |
| Parks & Recreation | $1,601 | $559 |
| Housing | $3,939 | $3,550 |
| Sewerage | $96 | $331 |
| Utilities | $5,495 | $3,148 |
| Other | $9,773 | $6,120 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.