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

Norfolk, VA vs Roanoke, VA

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

Summary

Norfolk spends 32.1% more per capita than Roanoke ($12,366/person difference). Roanoke, VA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 59/100).

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
Roanoke, VA
Pop. 99,213
C
59/100
Budget Balance37
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Norfolk
Roanoke
Total Spending
$12.1B
$3.8B
Spending / Capita
$50,880
$38,513
Total Revenue
$17.4B
$1.8B
Revenue / Capita
$73,324
$18,241
Total Debt
$324.7M
$722K
Debt / Capita
$1,370
$7
Population
236,973
99,213
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Norfolk$1,718
Roanoke$1,543
Fire Protection
Norfolk$832
Roanoke$235
Highways & Roads
Norfolk$1,186
Roanoke$1,357
Parks & Recreation
Norfolk$1,601
Roanoke$950
Education
Norfolk$19,019
Roanoke$18,609
Health
Norfolk$519
Roanoke$573

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

NorfolkRoanoke
Property Tax
$97
$0
Sales Tax
$1,289
$472
Income Tax
$896
$386
Intergovernmental
$4,946
$1,358
Charges & Fees
$4,679
$0
Other
$3,596
$2,424

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

NorfolkRoanoke
Police
$1,718
$1,543
Fire Protection
$832
$235
Highways & Roads
$1,186
$1,357
Education
$19,019
$18,609
Public Welfare
$1,311
$0
Health
$519
$573
Hospitals
$5,390
$511
Parks & Recreation
$1,601
$950
Housing
$3,939
$2,054
Sewerage
$96
$112
Utilities
$5,495
$3,633
Other
$9,773
$8,936
D
Norfolk, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 46/100
Below average fiscal health
C
Roanoke, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 59/100
Average fiscal health

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