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

Philadelphia, PA vs Virginia Beach, VA

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

Summary

Philadelphia spends 32.4% more per capita than Virginia Beach ($13,757/person difference). Virginia Beach, VA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (D, 47/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Philadelphia, PA
Pop. 1,593,208
D
45/100
Budget Balance17
Debt Burden53
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Virginia Beach, VA
Pop. 457,900
D
47/100
Budget Balance28
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Philadelphia
Virginia Beach
Total Spending
$89.7B
$19.5B
Spending / Capita
$56,272
$42,515
Total Revenue
$64.4B
$14.6B
Revenue / Capita
$40,425
$31,808
Total Debt
$1.7B
$135.8M
Debt / Capita
$1,069
$297
Population
1,593,208
457,900
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Philadelphia$1,505
Virginia Beach$1,126
Fire Protection
Philadelphia$7,082
Virginia Beach$512
Highways & Roads
Philadelphia$1,215
Virginia Beach$0
Parks & Recreation
Philadelphia$593
Virginia Beach$1,574
Education
Philadelphia$0
Virginia Beach$21,342
Health
Philadelphia$229
Virginia Beach$426

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaVirginia Beach
Sales Tax
$107
$673
Income Tax
$8
$831
Intergovernmental
$6,288
$31,808
Charges & Fees
$2,790
$1,462
Other
$4,029
$3,301

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaVirginia Beach
Police
$1,505
$1,126
Fire Protection
$7,082
$512
Highways & Roads
$1,215
$0
Education
$0
$21,342
Public Welfare
$1,456
$2,071
Health
$229
$426
Hospitals
$4,048
$1,036
Parks & Recreation
$593
$1,574
Housing
$4,902
$2,788
Sewerage
$325
$140
Utilities
$4,222
$3,523
Interest on Debt
$3
$0
Other
$30,692
$7,978
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health
D
Virginia Beach, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 47/100
Below average fiscal health

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