Norfolk, VA vs Hampton, VA
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Norfolk, VA and Hampton, VA spend within 11.8% of each other per resident — $50,880 versus $45,522 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Hampton, VA holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 60/100 (grade C) against 46/100 (grade D) for Norfolk, VA — a 14-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
Hampton, VA reports no outstanding debt per resident in its Census filing, while Norfolk, VA carries $1,370 per resident. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: education leads in Norfolk, VA at $19,019 per resident and in Hampton, VA at $21,725.
They also fund themselves differently: intergovernmental transfers is the largest single revenue source in Norfolk, VA at 7% of total revenue, whereas Hampton, VA relies most on other revenue at 8%.
Summary
Norfolk spends 11.8% more per capita than Hampton ($5,357/person difference). Hampton, VA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 60/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $97 | $0 |
| Sales Tax | $1,289 | $1,697 |
| Income Tax | $896 | $1,516 |
| Intergovernmental | $4,946 | $1 |
| Charges & Fees | $4,679 | $0 |
| Other | $3,596 | $2,522 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Police | $1,718 | $1,158 |
| Fire Protection | $832 | $730 |
| Highways & Roads | $1,186 | $392 |
| Education | $19,019 | $21,725 |
| Public Welfare | $1,311 | $249 |
| Health | $519 | $252 |
| Hospitals | $5,390 | $3,201 |
| Parks & Recreation | $1,601 | $3,179 |
| Housing | $3,939 | $2,418 |
| Sewerage | $96 | $87 |
| Utilities | $5,495 | $4,239 |
| Other | $9,773 | $7,892 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.