Norfolk, VA vs Newport News, 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 Norfolk, VA at $19,019 per resident and in Newport News, VA at $23,175.
They also fund themselves differently: intergovernmental transfers is the largest single revenue source in Norfolk, VA at 7% of total revenue, whereas Newport News, VA relies most on charges and fees at 17%.
Summary
Newport News spends 10.7% 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 | $97 | $0 |
| Sales Tax | $1,289 | $382 |
| Income Tax | $896 | $820 |
| Intergovernmental | $4,946 | $899 |
| Charges & Fees | $4,679 | $5,701 |
| Other | $3,596 | $4,722 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Police | $1,718 | $1,848 |
| Fire Protection | $832 | $658 |
| Highways & Roads | $1,186 | $702 |
| Education | $19,019 | $23,175 |
| Public Welfare | $1,311 | $1,145 |
| Health | $519 | $377 |
| Hospitals | $5,390 | $2,755 |
| Parks & Recreation | $1,601 | $2,102 |
| Housing | $3,939 | $4,827 |
| Sewerage | $96 | $219 |
| Utilities | $5,495 | $7,332 |
| Other | $9,773 | $11,810 |
Compare More Cities
Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.