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

Norfolk, VA vs Richmond, VA

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

Summary

Richmond spends 17.5% more per capita than Norfolk ($10,782/person difference). Norfolk, VA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (D, 46/100).

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
Richmond, VA
Pop. 227,171
D
45/100
Budget Balance58
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Norfolk
Richmond
Total Spending
$12.1B
$14.0B
Spending / Capita
$50,880
$61,661
Total Revenue
$17.4B
$17.5B
Revenue / Capita
$73,324
$77,122
Total Debt
$324.7M
$296.3M
Debt / Capita
$1,370
$1,304
Population
236,973
227,171
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Norfolk$1,718
Richmond$2,108
Fire Protection
Norfolk$832
Richmond$921
Highways & Roads
Norfolk$1,186
Richmond$738
Parks & Recreation
Norfolk$1,601
Richmond$1,154
Education
Norfolk$19,019
Richmond$20,033
Health
Norfolk$519
Richmond$341

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

NorfolkRichmond
Property Tax
$97
$0
Sales Tax
$1,289
$930
Income Tax
$896
$879
Intergovernmental
$4,946
$3,985
Charges & Fees
$4,679
$3,949
Other
$3,596
$7,690

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

NorfolkRichmond
Police
$1,718
$2,108
Fire Protection
$832
$921
Highways & Roads
$1,186
$738
Education
$19,019
$20,033
Public Welfare
$1,311
$1,535
Health
$519
$341
Hospitals
$5,390
$3,770
Parks & Recreation
$1,601
$1,154
Housing
$3,939
$5,951
Sewerage
$96
$17
Utilities
$5,495
$7,265
Interest on Debt
$0
$3,048
Other
$9,773
$14,781
D
Norfolk, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 46/100
Below average fiscal health
D
Richmond, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health

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